Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, on Thursday met with employees of Evolution Georgia who have been on strike for over a month, with some now entering the tenth day of a hunger strike.
The meeting took place outside the company’s premises in Tbilisi, where the striking workers detailed their grievances and demands.
The strike, which began on July 12, has seen mounting tensions as employees protest against what they describe as poor working conditions and labor discrimination. On the 33rd day of the strike, three protesters began a hunger strike, and on the 42nd day, one protester sewed his lips together in a plea for attention.
Ioseliani said that his office had been investigating the situation since the strike began. “We have issued several public statements, urging both the employer and the Labor Inspectorate to address these concerns. While our mandate does not allow us to mediate directly, we are committed to facilitating dialogue and finding a resolution,” he said and assured the workers his office would continue to advocate on their behalf.
One of the striking workers, Tamar Ansian, expressed determination to continue the hunger strike despite the health risks. “We started with three, but due to health issues, only two of us remain. Our goal is to bring public attention to the need for better labor standards in Georgia,” she said.
Evolution Georgia on Wednesday issued a statement urging the striking workers to prioritize their health, stating that the company’s stance on the dispute remained unchanged.
Evolution, a Swedish company that entered Georgia in 2018, employs around 7,000 people in the country, primarily in the online casino industry. The company operates out of five buildings, with approximately 1,000 employees working in each shift.
