The Public Defender of Georgia is echoing the protest of Chiatura miners, who are demanding decent working conditions. The Public Defender met the miners personally and heard their problems, while his representatives were present at the rallies organized by them both in Chiatura and Tbilisi.

The Chiatura miners have been on hunger strike for more than ten days to protect their rights. The disagreement between the company and the employees is reaching acute tension and the employees are resorting to other extreme forms of protest. According to reports, one of the miners had to be taken to the clinic yesterday due to worsening of his health condition.

The Public Defender of Georgia emphasizes that protection of labour rights, provision of a safe and healthy working environment are essential for promoting decent work, sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

The Public Defender definitely believes that the mediation process should be conducted more actively, the company should take into account the fair demands of the employees as much as possible and offer them acceptable conditions in the shortest possible time in order to reach an agreement.