The organizations signing this statement are responding to the ongoing crisis in Chiatura. We assert that it is unacceptable for Chiatura miners and locals to be excluded from state-organized discussions about manganese mining in Chiatura as their future is directly tied to this process.

On March 19, at the invitation of the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation, an extraordinary session of the Tripartite Social Partnership Commission was convened at the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health, and Social Affairs of Georgia (hereinafter referred to as the “Ministry of Health”). The session addressed the situation in Chiatura. As a result of the Commission’s decision, a working group was established, comprising representatives from the Trade Unions Confederation and employers’ associations. This group “will discuss solutions to the issue and make an appropriate decision”.

On March 28, a meeting of the working group established by the Tripartite Social Partnership Commission took place, as announced on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Health. Representatives from the Chiatura Management Company were also invited to join the meeting. The main objective of the group “is to support the Trade Unions Confederation in ensuring that all social rights outlined in the collective labor agreement are realized, and to work towards its continuation”. During the discussion, the need to reconsider the decision regarding the closure of the mines was highlighted. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of creating a Commission made up of industry specialists to examine the company’s claims about the unprofitability of the mines.

It is important to note that neither the miners from Chiatura nor the local community were invited to participate in the meeting of the Tripartite Commission or the working group meeting held on March 28. This omission is significant considering that the miners, who have been without jobs and wages, have been protesting since February 28 and are demanding a meeting with government representatives.

The disregard for the local population and their total exclusion from decision-making processes that affect them contradict fundamental constitutional and human rights principles. This approach is unacceptable, especially given that miners have long expressed a lack of trust in the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation, which currently participates in the process in the name of workers. Unfortunately, recent developments have shown that the Trade Union’s representatives are not collaborating with the workers. Instead, they have attempted to discredit some of them. A particularly serious incident occurred on March 27, when representatives of the Trade Union verbally insulted the miners. It is regrettable that the Trade Union - whose role should be to cooperate with workers to address the severe labor and social crisis - is instead confronting miners who have lost their jobs en masse and have not received their salaries for nearly three months.

The absence of proposals from the Tripartite Commission aimed at enhancing labor and social protection legislation and practices - along with ensuring alignment with relevant international standards - highlights the shortcomings in dialogue and the overall effectiveness of the Commission. A primary reason for the ineffectiveness is the insufficient inclusivity of the dialogue process. Currently, the Tripartite Commission comprises six members each from the government, employees’ associations (trade unions), and employers’ associations.[1] However, civil society organizations are excluded from the Commission’s work and the dialogue process. Most notably, independent trade unions - those not associated with the Trade Unions Confederation - are also left out. These Trade Unions have valuable experience in labor and social policy issues and represent workers in sectors that are not covered by the Trade Union participating in the Tripartite Commission.

The dialogue taking place within the Tripartite Commission does not genuinely represent the workers. Given that the miners have expressed distrust towards the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation, it is essential for any format developed by the Commission to focus on addressing the situation in Chiatura. This approach should ensure direct participation from the workers and representatives of the local community.

We urge the Minister of Health of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Sarjveladze, to immediately meet with representatives of the Chiatura miners and guarantee their participation in all future meetings of the working group or Commission.

Signatory organizations:

Social Justice Center

Trade Union of workers in the field of culture - “Guild”

Trade Union of Science, Education, and Culture Workers

Trade Union “Labor”

Social Workers’ Union

Georgian Musicians’ Trade Union

Trade Union of Mediators

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