Miners in Chiatura, western Georgia, have been holding protests since February 28 over unpaid wages, and on March 4, they plan to escalate their demonstration, with residents from across the municipality set to join.
The workers, employed by Georgian Manganese, say Monday marks the sixteenth day that the company has failed to pay 60% of their salaries, a sum promised under a collective agreement following the suspension of mining operations in January. The miners are demanding an immediate meeting with the regional governor and those involved in the company’s decision to halt production. Should their demands remain unaddressed, they warn of an intensified protest movement.
The miners and residents of Chiatura have outlined several major demands, calling for governmental intervention:
The removal of the current investor and a state takeover of mining operations in Chiatura.
The establishment of a fund where 5% of ore export proceeds would be allocated and distributed to the accounts of children and adolescents.
Free public transportation between Chiatura and surrounding villages.
Environmental considerations, particularly regarding open-pit mining, to be addressed.
A freeze on bank loans for affected workers until operations resume.
In January, Georgian Manganese, which holds exclusive rights to mine, process, and sell ore in Georgia until 2046, announced a temporary halt in operations, citing a decline in ferroalloy prices and reduced international demand. Under the terms of the collective agreement, approximately 5,000 employees, including 3,000 in Chiatura, were to receive 60% of their wages during the shutdown. However, the miners claim that this payment has not been made, and they accuse the company of continuing ore extraction through open-pit mining despite the supposed suspension.
Tariel Mikatsadze, a representative of the miners’ initiative group, stated that on February 28, workers received a vague message from the company indicating that funds were being sought to fulfill salary obligations.
“The company has spoken about a financial crisis for years, but the reality suggests otherwise. Ore is still being extracted, but workers are not being paid as agreed,” the miners said in a statement ahead of the protests.
Georgian Manganese maintains that it has been forced to halt underground mining due to economic difficulties.
“The company was forced to stop unprofitable operations, particularly in Chiatura, in January. Despite this, salaries were maintained at 60%,” said Giorgi Tatishvili, the company’s financial director.
