The Public Defender of Georgia expresses sorrow over the death of a miner in Tkibuli’s Mindeli mine and offers sympathy to his family.

As reported, T.K., the chief of the evening shift of the ventilation and security district of the mine’s 6^th district, was found dead in the evening of October 7, 2016. An investigation was launched under article 240 of the Criminal Code (violation of security rules during construction or other activities, which caused human death).

The mentioned death case once again underscores the severity of safety problem in the workplace. The current legislation does not provide for effective monitoring of safety and working conditions in the workplace.

The Public Defender reiterates that it is necessary to adopt perfect regulations concerning safety rules and ensure strict monitoring of their observance through labor inspectorate, which could minimize the number of casualties in the workplace. It is necessary the Georgian government to start ratification of Convention No 81 (labour inspection), Convention No 129 (agriculture labour inspection) and Convention No 155 (labour safety and hygiene) of the International Labour Organization, as well as Article 3 of the European Social Charter (right to safe and hygienic working conditions) in order to ensure one of the main components of the labour right –provision of safe and healthy environment for employees.