[Session summary] Conflict in Georgia

Conflict in Georgia seminar

Worsening situation but protests continue

Raisa Lapetaliani (Vice-President, Georgian Trade Union Confederation, pictured) spoke of the October 2024 elections with results that carry a low level of trust, meaning international bodies do not recognise the results which saw the ruling party re-elected. The major spark for the protests which have occurred over the past years was the decision of the Prime Minister to delay accession talks with the European Union until 2028.

Surveys show that the European path is backed by a strong majority of the population. The government has recently introduced a new law restricting demonstrations with € 1700 fines. This is in a country with a minimum E70? minimum monthly wage.

Since 2006, neo-liberal governments sought to weaken and destroy labour rights, failing to follow international standards. In 2020, the situation improved as a result of EU integration requirements. People were encouraged by these developments. However, following the October 2024 elections in December, senior public servants have seen a huge loss of employment rights with new contracts introduced meaning instant dismissal is possible with a maximum of three months compensation. The main objective is stricter control of the civil and public sector workforce. Many staff are now unqualified and on a much lower wage.

The unemployment benefit has been drastically cut. Unemployment stands at about 40 per cent. The gender pay gap has grown to 32 per cent. Georgia is a traditional country with orthodox gender roles, so many women are now excluded from labour market.

However, the leitmotif is solidarity with shared common interests and the same enemy, namely Russia. We are with Ukraine and their problem is our problem. We have many refugees in Georgia but we are not happy having Russians who can obtain easy visas. Ukrainian flags have been on all the street protests.

The best parts of the opposition are not linked to any parties; there is no one leader. People are generally on the streets for the EU.

Many criticise the Georgian Dream government for being pro-Russian. But this is not said too publicly because of a likely strong reaction. So, the people say “Europe with our traditions”.

The repressive legislation has been introduced to kill the protests. 50 people face ongoing criminal action. The problem is that all oppositional parties are neo-liberal so we don’t have a good ‘left’ choice.

Maksim, a Belorussian now in exile in Germany spoke about the police state in his country where since 2020 red/white uprising independent trade unions have been destroyed. Many activists are now imprisoned. Many are in exile. People are now stopped randomly and have their smart phones taken for the police to check the nature of their recent social media history. Belarus is wholly a part of the Russian Federation with a collective security agreement between Lukashenko and Putin. Putin has conquered part of Ukraine and the whole of Belarus.A wide-ranging question and answer session covered political prisoner solidarity campaigns, Putin’s attempts to rehabilitate Stalin; the inconsequential council in exile formed in 2020 which has ignored worker’s rights and does little about political prisoners; the small size of Georgian Communist party, not active in elections; Djukashvili (his small level of support and his neo-liberalism); and the decline in trade union membership in Georgia.

All agreed to use ENSU-RESU bulletin to provide reports and strengthen ties with Georgia. Raisa was keen to have similar events and include Georgian activists in Zoom calls.

Mike Davis (USC) chaired and took summary notes; Alphonse Bech (Catalan UGT) provided technical facilitation.