Miners in Georgia’s western town of Chiatura have ended a strike launched on May 16 after demanding better salaries and working conditions, as a deal has been reached with the Georgian Manganese company.
The company promised a 25% in salaries starting from June 1, while an additional 10% rise will take place starting next year.
Initially the miners demanded a 50% salary increase, while the company was offering only a 25% rise.
The final deal stood at a 35%.
The company will also improve nutrition for its employees and will not allow its heavy vehicles to move in the town and pollute the environment.
Before the agreement, Director of Chiatura Mining Plant Akaki Gurjidze quit the post.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated last week that the miners’ protest was fair and urged for a fast solution of the problem.
Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze stated earlier that “the miners’ fair demands were met, which was very good.”
The Georgian Manganese said that due to the protest it suffered 1 million GEL loss daily and the state lost half a million USD in exports on a daily basis.
3,200 employees of the Georgian Manganese company, who said that their salary was between 500-600 GEL, had been on strike for 11 days. Several of then have sewn their mouths in protest. (Agenda/Ukrainian metal)