Miners on strike in Tkibuli, west Georgia, demand increased salaries, safe working conditions
Yesterday, 22 miners were trapped in an elevator after it fell into the mine. Photo: Rustavi2.
Tweet 
Share
About one thousand miners in the Mindeli and Dzidziguri mines of Tkibuli have been on strike since yesterday, trade union representative Gaga Isakadze announced.
The miners demand income tax returns from the salaries they have been paid during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.
Moreover, they demand their salaries be increased and claim that despite promises from the Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava, this has not taken place.
In addition to this, they demand a work tunnel be repaired.
Yesterday, 22 miners were trapped in an elevator after it fell into the mine.
Isakadze said that this is not the first time this has happened and miners demand proof that the elevator is safe.
About 200 miners have been on strike in Tkibuli, western Georgia since March 13, demanding better working conditions and the pay for missed days.
About 200 miners of the Dzidziguri mine went on strike in Tkibuli region of western Georgia earlier today after the employer demanded they use the tunnel of Mindeli mine to reach their regular work site, which they say ‘takes too much time and effort.’
The new owner of the Tkibuli mines, Steel International Trade Company, has fully paid the salaries of miners formerly on strike demanding back pay, announced Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava today.
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.
An agreement has been reached between Saknakhshiri GIG and Tkibuli miners, who will return to work tomorrow, said trade union representative Gaga Isakadze.
Nine miners in Georgia’s western Tkibuli municipality are on strike in a mine refusing to come out, protesting against receiving the halved salaries in January. Tamaz Dolaberidze of the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation said that due to less coal mining activity than planned in January, the miners were paid less by Saknakhshiri coal mining company.
Miners in the western Georgian town of Chiatura are on strike demanding a pay increase of 50% of their salaries. The miners plan to continue their strike until their demands are fulfilled.
About 20 employees of Rustavi Azot chemical plant in Rustavi, a town 20km south of the capital, have been holding a demonstration since this morning demanding increased salaries.
Nearly 2,000 employees of the Rustavi Azot chemical plant in Rustavi, a town 20km south of the capital Tbilisi, are on strike. Workers are demanding an increase of their salaries of 50% after stoppin the functioning of the plant yesterday as part of their protest.
Two workers have been reportedly trapped in a collapse of a coal mass in the industrial city of Tkibuli in Georgia's west on Saturday.