About 200 miners on strike in western Georgia demanding 300 GEL pay rise

In addition, the miners demand the Tkibuli municipality receive highland status in order for its inhabitants to receive benefits provided by the Mountain Law. Photo: RFE/RL.

Agenda.ge, 05 Jul 2021 - 12:42, Tbilisi,Georgia

About 200 miners are on strike in the western Tkibuli municipality of Georgia, demanding their salaries be increased by 300 GEL (about $95.09/€80.09).

In addition, they demand the Tkibuli municipality receive highland status in order for its inhabitants to receive benefits provided by the Mountain Law.

The miners’ employer, Saknakhshiri coal mining company, held a meeting of the advisory board on July 3. After the meeting the company published a statement on its Facebook page which reads that the strike of the miners 'damages the work of the company, causes delays in the production process and directly affects the July bonuses of the enterprise as a whole'. 

The members of the advisory board agreed that 'constructive dialogue' is needed and the form of protest 'is not an effective tool' to resolve the issue. 

"This form of protest is ineffective, hinders the work of other structural units and hinders the progress and development of the enterprise", reads the statement.