The Public Defender of Georgia addressed Artistic Director of the Tbilisi Zakaria Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre with a recommendation regarding violation of labour rights of a former employee.

Iuri Sarokin worked in the LEPL Tbilisi Zakaria Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre as a professor on a fixed-term contract. Starting from March 1, 2014, labour relations with him were terminated based on the Subparagraph B of the Paragraph 1 of the Article 37 of the Labour Code of Georgia.

After examination of significant circumstances of the case the Public Defender considers that labour right of Iuri Sarokin was violated. Namely, fundamental changes introduced into the Labour Code on June 12, 2013 envisages detailed regulation of fixed-term labour relations that implies introduction of legal safeguards for the purpose of protection of rights and interest of a worker; representation of social equality principle in the labour legislation; protection of a worker against discrimination, etc. Accordingly, conclusion of short-term labour contracts should be decreased to the minimum, especially at a workplace which, in its essence, cannot be linked to any kind of fixed term.

In addition, despite the fact that due to non-provision of the Public Defender with part of information on reasonable grounds for release of Iuri Sarokin from employment Tbilisi City Court found the Artistic Director of the theatre guilty of committing an administrative offense, the latter still failed to present information confirming reasonable dismissal of Iuri Sarokin.