Social workers end strike, announce creation of professional union

Social workers have ended their strike today and agreed to the creation of a professional union.

The social workers stated that they reached an agreement with the Health Ministry on several issues though most of their demands have still not been granted.

One of the demands for better transport facilities will be partially met as 12 vehicles will be allocated to social service centres across the country to help social workers travel to meet individuals for whom they are responsible for within the system.

Social workers started large-scale protests on March 25. Photo: Social Workers for Systemic Changes/facebook.

An additional 18 vehicles will also be added by the end of May.

Social workers in Georgia went on strike on March 25, demanding better working conditions, increased salaries and better conditions for the individuals they are responsible for as well.

Protestors and Health Minister David Sergeenko held a meeting on the fourth day of the strike – later that day Sergeenko stated the social workers would stop their strike on the following day.

Social workers say the government is holding negotiations with taxi companies to provide social workers with transport if required while 12 lawyers will be added to the social service centers.

Social worker Tea Magradze stated that the parties failed to reach an agreement on the following issues:

• No council was established to respond to the challenges of the guardianship and foster system;
• No salary increase was discussed;
• Negotiations with different agencies have been planned but the main problems still remain unresolved.

The social workers say despite all of this they will return to their ordinary work schedules starting tomorrow and wait for parliament to more closely investigate the issues of the country’s social care system.