In Georgia, miners stop striking

The top managers of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) "Gruzugol" has agreed to take measures as necessary to improve safety at the Mindeli Mine in Tkibuli, and to increase the wages. The workers decided to stop the strike.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 2 the miners of Tkibuli refused to descend into the mine; and at 6:00 a.m.  they went on strike, which was 800 persons strong.

As stated to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Irakli Petriashvili, Chairman of United Trade Unions of Georgia, until March 20 this year termless labour contracts should be concluded with all the workers, which will replace fixed one-year contracts, effective at the company until today. The wages will be specified in new contracts.

"We've concluded an agreement with the LLC "Gruzugol" that the inspection of the trade union will be allowed into the mine. A bilateral commission will be formed - from trade unions experts and employees of the enterprise. All the works aimed at improved safety measures will be undertaken in accordance with the guidelines of our experts," said Irakli Petriashvili.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Tomaz Dolaberidze, head of trade union of the mining and metallurgical industries, on February 2 the managers of the LLC "Gruzugol" began repairing the ventilation system of the mine; however, nevertheless, "some risk of an accident remains."

In 2010, two explosions happened in Mindeli Mine in Tkibuli: on March 3 and on August 27. In both cases the count of casualties was 4. On January 22, 2011, the ninth worker perished in the mine. It is notable that the labour contract with the company did not assume any compensation for the death or injury of the worker obtained in performing his service duties.