Minister of Economy Meets Miners on Strike in Tkibuli

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava met with the miners on strike in Tkibuli, a mining town in west-central Georgia, Imereti region, as instructed by the Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia at today's government meeting. 

“It is important for me to hear convincing answers from the company about when the miners will receive their own salaries and, most importantly, when the coal mining process will be restored in safe working environment and when the enterprise will start operating normally,” – she said at the meeting with representatives of Georgia’s Industrial Group Saqnakhshiri LTD and the local miners, adding that the issue of paying the salaries of the workers should be resolved immediately.

The Minister noted that she is confident that they will find a solution together, while the government will be the guarantor for the fulfillment of the employer company's obligations.  

 “We are very concerned about the fate of Tkibuli miners. I know this field well. I have the urgent task from the Prime Minister to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties, first and foremost for you, the miners, as you are the main wealth of Saqhnakhshiri, you are the main force here," she said.

She also added that coal mining has a big future in Georgia and that the field is crucial for economic development.  

“I will urge the investors to present the answers and relevant plans. Hopefully, there will be a convincing plan about when the coal mining process will be restored in a safe working environment. We need to find a balance so that coal mining can be restored and your work can be safe,” she said. 

The protest among the miners in Tkibuli was sparked on September 24. Up to 30 workers went on strike in Mindeli and Dzidziguri mines, claiming that they would not leave until receiving their current salaries. 

The Georgian Trade Union reported that the miners should have received their salaries by September 15 yet, their employers left them without money and are unable to say when the salaries will be paid.

In turn, the employer company Saqnakshiri LTD stated that it is currently facing financial problems, and the workers were also informed about the above. They also note that the company is actively consulting with the state to find a way out of the situation.

Related Story: Miners' Protest Resumes in Tkibuli

By Ana Dumbadze