Miners' end protests demanding back pay in Tkibuli mining town

Miners in the western Georgian mining town of Tkibuli have stopped their protest today as they have been promised to be paid their salaries on Monday, Georgian Minister of Economy Natia Turnava said yesterday after meeting with Saknakhshiri, a daughter company of Georgian Industrial Group (GIG) and miners.

The company has a new Georgian investor, Steel International Trade Company which also has Ukrainian partners.

The company has also taken the responsibility of creating a safe working environment for miners.

Coal mining will start again in early November and mines will be expanded in the next two years”, said Turnava.

Miners were protesting not receiving their salaries from Saknakhshiri since September 24.

Work has been suspended in the Mindeli and Dzidziguri mines of Tkibuli since July 16, 2018 after a fatal explosion left four miners dead and six others injured.

The miners stated  that the mines are “the only source of income” for many of the families in Tkibuli and demanded from the government to tell them whether the mines would reopen or not.

The conclusion of German consulting company DMT company revealed safety violations in Tkibuli mines and Sakhshiri was given recommendations to eradicate the flaws one year ago.

Saknakhshiri, the owner of the mines, said that the company was facing financial problems due to the suspension on operations.