19:00, 24 May 2013

Georgia: 2400 workers of ferroalloys factory in Zestafoni go on strike

The strike of the workers of the Zestafoni ferroalloy factory continues for the fourth day, Tamaz Doloberidze, the chairman of the Metalworkers' Union of Georgia, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. According to his story, the strikers are all the 2400 workers of the factory.

The strike began on May 20. Factory workers demand increase of wages by 50%, payment for the night shift by 20% and signing of a collective agreement negotiated between the parties in January.

"The factory bosses and the trade union have drafted a Memorandum, which has not yet been signed. Now all the factory workers are on strike, but the administration did not support them and continues working," said Doloberidze.

"At the moment, there is no threat of firing, since according to the Georgian legislation striking workers cannot be sacked. During the strike, they get no wages, but they had no other choice," said Doloberidze.

Author: Alena Aleshenko

Source: CK correspondent