Chiatura miners in western Georgia launch hunger strike over fears of mass layoffs

Five miners in the western Georgian town of Chiatura have gone on a hunger strike in protest against a company reorganization plan they fear could leave many workers unemployed.

The miners, who have been refusing food but are consuming water and liquids, are demanding that authorities intervene to protect their jobs. Speaking at a briefing on Monday, one of the strikers warned that the protest could grow if their concerns were not addressed.

“There are many people who want to join. It will become larger,” he said. “I hope our authorities will pay attention and listen to the working people who have real things to say.”

The hunger strike enters its third day, with at least one miner reportedly requiring medical attention. The action follows a move by Georgian Manganese, also known as the Chiatura Management Company (CMC), to offer employees new contract terms as part of a planned restructuring.

According to documents made public by the miners, workers are being asked to sign agreements that would acknowledge a company reorganization that could result in job losses, no guarantee of re-employment, though the company would express a readiness to assist in finding vacant positions and a reduction in working hours from a 12-hour shift system to an 8-hour working day.

“If you sign the company’s statement, know that you are signing away your job,” the miners said in a statement on 24 April. They accused the company of issuing “ultimatums” and employing “repressive” tactics against its workforce.

In a statement, the Chiatura Management Company defended its plans, saying the reorganization aimed to “conduct work correctly and efficiently,” and cited the need to improve operations and reduce costs.

The company had earlier announced on 23 April that the “restoration and reorganization” of mining production in Chiatura was being planned.

Chiatura’s economy is heavily dependent on manganese mining, and protests have been ongoing for months. Workers have been calling for the withdrawal of certain companies from the region’s mining activities, accusing them of prioritizing profits over the well-being of employees.

Mining operations in Chiatura have been largely suspended since 1 November 2024. At the time, workers were promised that 60% of their salaries would be paid until 1 March 2025. However, on 7 March 2025, Georgian Manganese announced that underground mining operations would not resume.