REP Independent Trade Union Set Example Of International Solidarity

The union expressed solidarity with the workers of the Georgian Rustavi Azot plant.

The persecution of workers for being trade union members is practiced not only in Belarus: the REP trade union expressed solidarity with the workers of the Rustavi Azot plant, whose protest rally was severely dispersed.

The primary organization of the Professional Union of Metallurgical, Mining and Chemical Industries of Georgia, which is an IndustriALL affiliate, has lost more than 1,000 members since February 2017, and the pressure on workers is intensifying, praca-by.info writes.

On October 25, youth and trade union activists held meetings with employees at the plant, explaining to them their constitutional rights and the reasons for the company’s anti-union campaign. The workers agreed that the trade union was wanted at Rustavi Azot.

The union had tried to establish negotiations with the company's management since March 2017, but it failed. The company's management puts pressure on the foremen forcing employees to leave the ranks of the union. The number of members decreased from 1,450 to 630 people from February to April 2017. Another 300 people left the union from June to September, and 100 people – in October.

The crack-down on the union started after the protest rallies against the illegal dismissal of 350 people in early 2017, as well as against new labor contracts for the remaining employees, which seriously worsened their working conditions.

The union repeatedly appealed for help to the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection, but to no avail. The ministry failed to fulfill its obligation and return the parties to the negotiating table.

Tamaz Dolaberidze, the Chairman of the Professional Union of Metallurgical, Mining and Chemical Industry Workers of Georgia, said:

"A certain company has established its own legal order in Georgia, and the government of the country turns a blind eye to that. We did our best to build constructive relations with the company's management, and now we will inform the world community about it."

According to Dolaberizde, the information will soon be received by the International Labor Organization, the European Union, the State Department of America, and the International Trade Union Confederation. The union appeals to the IndustriALL affiliated organizations for support and asks to send a photo with the special sign in hands to the e-mail tamazdolaberidze@gmail.com.

IndustriALL Secretary General Walter Sanchez wrote in his letter to the President of Georgia:

"The IndustriALL Global Union vigorously condemns the attacks on the union and calls you to intervene promptly and resolve this situation."