PM vows regular operations in Borjomi as “gov’t becomes shareholder” along with Russian oligarch

The Government of Georgia will become a shareholder of Borjomi mineral waters which will solve existing problems in the operations and the ongoing strike of its employees, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday.

He noted that the Ministry of Economy has “practically completed” negotiations on the issue and “thus the problem will be resolved.”

“None of our citizens will be oppressed and we will treat everyone fairly,” Garibashvili pledged.

Up to 400 striking workers of IDS Borjomi blocked entrances of both bottling plants of the mineral water today, demanding payment of their salaries, reinstatement of 50 “illegally fired employees” and humane working conditions.

The Borjomi controlling stake has been owned by Alfa Group since 2013 which was founded by currently sanctioned Russian billionaire, businessman Mikhail Friidman.

On May 19, IDS Borjomi controlling company offered the Georgian government to transfer part of its shares free of charge.

Garibashvili told the media on May 21 that Borjomi’s shares would be given as a gift to Georgia and that they would no longer have problems in the work.

The amount of the free shares has not been identified so far.