Workers at Georgia's largest chemical plant have gone on strike.

Several hundred employees of Rustavi Azot have gone on strike in the city of Rustavi. They are demanding higher wages, otherwise they have promised to resort to continuous protests and paralyze the work process.

As reported by Caucasian Knot, in April 2021, approximately 500 employees of Rustavi Azot blocked vehicles entering and exiting the plant's premises, demanding a 50% wage increase. The trade union supported the protesters' demands.

According to strike participants, the company's management is promising a salary increase of only 4%, amounting to an average of 40 lari (approximately $15), Pirveli TV reported today.

According to one of the company's employees, David Metreveli, the main demand is a salary increase of 300 lari (approximately $110). However, at a meeting with the company's administration, management announced a planned 4% salary increase. Employees believe that a percentage increase would be unfair, Info Rustavi reported today.

"We had a meeting with management, and they proposed a 4% wage increase. We are against such an increase. The plant is closed and will not reopen until our demands are met. We will not consider any percentage increase because everyone's salary is different. Accordingly, those with higher salaries will receive more in the event of a 4% increase. Any percentage increase would increase some salaries more, while others would receive less," stated David Metreveli.

"Raising salaries by such an amount is simply ridiculous. Given the level of food prices, this is a laughable increase for us," an indignant employee said.

According to the protesters, a 300 lari wage increase is a perfectly reasonable proposal. "We demand that Mayor Nino Latsabidze immediately come and support the strikers," the employees stated.

The strikers also called on employees of other city enterprises to support the protest. The administration of Rustavi Azot declined to comment at this stage, the publication clarified.