After years of low salaries and unbearable conditions in the workplace, the workers at Guria Express flour mill began their struggle to assert their rights in 2021.
- In May 2021, IUF affiliate Georgian Agriculture, Commercial and Industry Worker’s Trade Union (LABOR) organized the first strike for higher wages and improved working conditions; after 38 days, terminated employees were reinstated, permanent contracts were signed, workers’ salaries doubled and overtime pay was secured
- In October 2022, LABOR learned that one of the workers was illegally terminated and a second wave of protests began on demanding not only reinstatement but also a 50% wage increase; when efforts at mediation failed, the union called a strike for December 9, 2022
- After intensive negotiations, the parties agreed on the reinstatement of the dismissed worker, a 30% salary increase and an annual increase as well as other demands, just days before the strike was to begin
Giorgi Diasamidze, leader of the Georgian Agriculture, Commercial and Industry Worker’s Trade Union (LABOR), stated “This is a win-win for the workers and for management. Good working conditions make for good business; companies must understand that the well-being of their employees is directly tied to the success of the business.”
