Protesters in Tbilisi demand to stop layoffs of culture workers

Workers in sciences and culture have held a protest action in Tbilisi demanding the reinstatement of their colleagues who, in their opinion, had been fired for criticizing the Minister of Culture.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 22, 2022, in Tbilisi, protesters demanded the resignation of Teya Tsulukiani, the Minister of Culture, who, in their opinion, had fired the employees of various institutions who expressed dissatisfaction with her policies. On June 4, protesters threatened to launch a mass strike after the Georgian Ministry of Culture fired their colleagues for criticizing the Minister.

On June 17, in Tbilisi, the Georgian trade union of workers of education, sciences and culture held a several-dozen-strong action, the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel has reported. The union intends to file a collective lawsuit against the Georgian Ministry of Culture.

The protesters have also expressed their solidarity with the protesting students of Tbilisi State University (TSU) and called on the authorities to fulfil their demands.

The number of workers of sciences and culture who have been dismissed for criticizing the work of the Ministry of Culture has reached 70, one of the protesters have stated.