Actions of protest of striking miners passed off in Tkibuli and Kutaisi

On November, 21, striking miners and local residents held an action of protest in the center of Tkibuli demanding not to close the mine named after Dzidziguri. A similar action passed off in front of the Parliament in Kutaisi.

During the action its participants declared that they would not stop the strike until their demands are granted in full.

Eliso Chapidze, majoritarian deputy of the Parliament from Tkibuli, visited the action and assured the miners that they would receive aid. After that she went down to the mine named after Dzidziguri and had a meeting with the workers holding the action in the coal-face.

According to Chapidze, a special committee with the participation of mining industry experts was created. On November, 22, they will come to Tkibuli and report their expert opinion on the extent of safety of excavation in the mine named after Dzidziguri. A decision will be taken based on their conclusion on whether the mine will be closed or not, “Georgia Online” reports.

On the same day miners from Tkibuli held an action in Kutaisi, in front of the Parliament of Georgia. The participants were holding a poster “I am a worker, not a slave”. They expressed distrust to owner of “Gruzugol” Davis Bezhuashvili and the administration of the company who refused to grant the workers’ demands.

Along with cancellation of the plan of closing the mine the miners demanded benefit packages and conclusion of long-term labour contracts. The participants of the action declared that the strike would go on until their demands are granted, ”Business Georgia” reports.