Dozens of Social Workers Fired in Georgia

Around 30 social workers in Georgia were informed that they will not have jobs from February due to the reorganization launched by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs.

Keti Khutsishvili, a representative of the Social Workers' Trade Union, says that the Ministry did not explain the reason for the dismissal to those employees who received a letter on January 29. According to her, the Ministry of Health had an obligation to explain in detail why those social workers were fired.

“About 30 social workers have been dismissed. According to the agency, these people were fired as part of the reorganization but were only informed of the fact three days prior. There was no other reason listed in the notification but ‘reorganization’. They should have explained why exactly these people were chosen to leave the agency,” she said.

Khutsishvili says that as of December 2019, there are 239 social workers in Georgia, but under the Social Work Law, the state has undertaken an obligation to raise that to at least 285 social workers in the country.

She added that most likely the dismissed social workers will take the case to court to protect their rights.

The Ministry of Health claims the social workers were informed about the planned reorganization, and were given two months' compensation. According to the ministry, there is no plan to reduce the number of social workers and, on the contrary, various sectors will be strengthened.

Giorgi Tsotskolauri, the Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs, explained that during the reorganization process, they communicated with the staff about the ongoing reorganization and those affected knew about the changes in advance.

“The reorganization of the social service agency has been ongoing since March 1, 2019, so the staff were provided with full information at almost every stage. Letters were sent to them in the past and they also received information directly from me. I am always available when they need me to clarify any issues,” he said.

Tsotskolauri noted that during the reorganization process, a special commission was created which met all employees before deciding who needed to go.

The statement further highlights that the ministry plans to strengthen the direction of childcare, merging Care, Child and Family Violence Management, with the State Fund for Care and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking.

The Fund Director, Meri Maghlaperidze, says a new agency will be created as a result of the reorganization: the Agency for State Care and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking.

“It will be a positive event as several service providers will unite. Of course, vacancies will be created within the reorganization and a competition will be announced throughout Georgia according to the law,” she said.

The statement of the Ministry explains that the social workers who lost their jobs will have an opportunity to apply for the new vacancies created within the new Agency for State Care and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking.

By Tea Mariamidze

Image source: Netgazeti