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Trade Unions

Trade Unions

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Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Evolution Gaming

Swedish Embassy sparks outcry after praising Evolution Georgia’s ‘supportive workplace’

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The Swedish Embassy in Georgia has praised the online gaming company Evolution Georgia against the backdrop of an ongoing strike at the company in demand of better working conditions. On Thursday, the embassy began a Facebook series highlighting Swedish companies operating in Georgia. The first company they showcased was Evolution Georgia. ‘Evolution prioritises a healthy and supportive workplace, fostering professional growth, and personal well-being. Employees have free access to an on-sit

An Evolution Georgia office in Tbilisi. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media.
Evolution Georgia

Georgian labour rights advocates challenge Evolution at OECD

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The Social Justice Centre (SJC), a Tbilisi-based advocacy group, have announced that they have filed a complaint with the Swedish ‘contact points’ at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on behalf of striking employees of Evolution Georgia. Employees of Evolution Georgia, primarily card shufflers and game presenters, began their strike on 12 July, claiming the support of thousands behind them. They held sit-ins at the entrances of the Evolution Georgia premises in

Image: Mautskebeli
Evolution Gaming

Striking employees stage sit-in outside Evolution Georgia offices

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Twenty-one days into a strike demanding better pay and working conditions, employees of Evolution Georgia escalated their protest by beginning a sit-in at the company’s main office entrances in Tbilisi. The workers, primarily game presenters, pledged not to physically obstruct anyone from entering the premises but stated that those wishing to do so would have to ‘step over’ them. During the sit-in, several men who appeared to be company security pushed protesters away from the entrance. Whil

Photo via Publika.
Evolution Gaming

Georgian online casino employees to go on strike

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At least 5,000 employees of Evolution Georgia, an online gambling service, will reportedly go on strike demanding better working conditions and higher salaries. On Friday, representatives of the employees announced that they would begin their strike on 12 July, citing unsafe and unsanitary workplace conditions, harassment by managers, and meagre pay. Evolution Georgia, a Swedish company listed in Stockholm that provides gambling services to a number of prominent online casinos internationall

Aykhan Israfilov. Image via Facebook.
Azerbaijan

Third Azerbaijani labour activist detained in last month

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A member of the Workers’ Table Trade Unions Confederation taking part in ongoing protests by delivery couriers has been arrested on drug charges, the third member of the group to be detained this month. Aykhan Israfilov, who is also a member of the Democracy 1918 Movement, was detained on 11 August and remanded into four months of pre-trial detention. The confederation’s chair, Afiadin Mammadov, also a member of Democracy 1918, was detained on 1 August on charges of disobeying police orders.

Evo Union outside the Evolution Georgia offices. Photo via Evo Union.
Evolution Gaming

Young Georgian Unions on a winning streak

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Unionising is seen as unappealing and even dangerous by many Georgians, but some new public and private unions are gaining support, taking on their employers — and winning.  For decades, Georgia’s labour unions have been a mostly unsuccessful endeavour. While big enterprises are plagued by company-dominated unions or take revenge against unionised workers,  29% of the workforce is informally employed and 21% unemployed.  With two of Georgia’s largest employment sectors — hospitality and cons

Scooters belonging to Glovo couriers parked at the protest site in Tbilisi. Photo: Tata Shoshiashvili/OC Media.
Georgia

Georgian couriers vow to create ‘gig economy union’ following Glovo strike

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Couriers in Georgia from food delivery companies Glovo and Wolt have vowed to form a trade union for workers in the gig economy, following the latest strike by Glovo couriers. On Tuesday, around 100 Glovo couriers gathered near the Sports Palace in Tbilisi demanding an end to frequent changes in working conditions and the return of the bonus system.  Many of those gathered told OC Media that they had been blocked from the Glovo application after several hundred couriers went on strike a day

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