120 Workers of Aircraft Factory Go on Strike

The workers of Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing factory (TAM) refuse to work and ask for increased salaries, better working conditions and improved sanitary and hygiene norms at the workplace.

The employees claim that their work is not adequately appreciated, adding they are being paid "miserable salaries" for working long hours and sometimes in hazardous conditions.

“Our main demand is to have a higher salary and to be more appreciated,” one of the workers, Vato Girkeladze, said.

Tbilaviamsheni Executive Director Irakli Gogiberidze says he agrees to improve hygiene-sanitary norms and working conditions of the workers but regarding more salaries, he says it does not depend on him.

The director said the factory is entirely dependent on contracts, adding the only thing that can be done is to establish a special bonus fund, where 2% of the income from the contracts will be transferred.

“From this fund, 70% of the bonus money will be distributed to workers and 30% to the administration,” he added.

However, the employees do not agree with him and demand a stable and increased income.

Tbilisi Aviation Factory was established in 1941. It is an aerospace development and manufacturing company which also handles the construction of domestic weapons, armored vehicles and artillery systems.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: gtuc.ge