ICFTU points to serious labour violations in Georgia

ICFTU OnLine…, 164/151001/LB, 15 October 2001

Brussels October 15, 2001 (ICFTU OnLine): In a recent visit to Georgia, the General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Bill Jordan, expressed deep concern over serious violations of trade union rights and called on President Shevardnadze to put a stop to all interference on the part of the authorities into the activities of the ICFTU affiliate, the Georgian Trade Union Amalgamation (GTUA).

Over the past few years, the GTUA has faced systematic obstruction through harassment, interference and interminable court cases. “These court cases in themselves have made a mockery of the independent judicial process”, said Bill Jordan.

The ICFTU has called upon President Shevardnadze to ensure that urgent steps be taken so as to restitute to the GTUA its property in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court and to cancel all illegitimate court proceedings, which include an unprecedented interference by court rule in the agenda of a trade union meeting.

Bill Jordan pledged to use ICFTU influence in international and regional governmental political and financial institutions to promote equitable social and economic development of Georgia, which is still facing dramatic hardships, with the additional burden of refugees and displaced persons. The ICFTU is also ready to support the application of the Georgian Government for Special Incentive Arrangements within the framework of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).

“Our support, however, will be conditional on Georgia meeting all its international commitments related to core labour standards, defined by ILO Conventions and ratified by Georgia. We won’t accept anything less”, said Bill Jordan.