International labour standards and national law in light of the impact of Covid-19 on labour relations – webinar for judges in Georgia
The social impact of measures taken by the Government of Georgia to counter the spread of Covid-19 has brought to the fore questions related to the role of international labour standards and the application of relevant provisions of the Georgian Labour Code. To discuss these issues, the ILO and the High School of Justice of Georgia organized a webinar.
Notwithstanding assistance provided to businesses and workers to address the social impact of the measures taken to counter the spread of Covid-19, Georgia, like other countries, has witnessed an increase in (temporary) unemployment and a reduction in working hours.
To discuss issues such as the role of international labour standards and how the provisions of the Georgian Labour Code should be applied in these extra-ordinary circumstances, on June 27 the International Labour organization (ILO) and the High School of Justice organized a webinar, in which more than 20 judges participated. Discussions focused on whether international labour standards provided flexibility in their application during times of emergency and whether the provisions of the Georgian Labour Code concerning termination, reduction in working hours, and annual leave were applicable or not, especially given the fact that a State of Emergency was declared in Georgia for some time and the Civil Code contains a provision concerning force majeure.
Ms. Mako Botsvadze, Deputy Director of the High School of Justice, expressed her special gratitude to the ILO for organizing and supporting the meeting and stated that “labour relations are one of the most pressing issues during the spread of the new corona virus. As a result of the pandemic, many labour disputes have arisen around the world, including Georgia. Therefore, it is very important to hold a discussion on the new challenges in order to ensure decisions made by the Georgian court are in compliance with the international labour standards.”
The webinar was organized within the framework of the Project “Inclusive Labour Markets for Job Creation”, funded by the Government of Denmark (Danida).
To discuss issues such as the role of international labour standards and how the provisions of the Georgian Labour Code should be applied in these extra-ordinary circumstances, on June 27 the International Labour organization (ILO) and the High School of Justice organized a webinar, in which more than 20 judges participated. Discussions focused on whether international labour standards provided flexibility in their application during times of emergency and whether the provisions of the Georgian Labour Code concerning termination, reduction in working hours, and annual leave were applicable or not, especially given the fact that a State of Emergency was declared in Georgia for some time and the Civil Code contains a provision concerning force majeure.
Ms. Mako Botsvadze, Deputy Director of the High School of Justice, expressed her special gratitude to the ILO for organizing and supporting the meeting and stated that “labour relations are one of the most pressing issues during the spread of the new corona virus. As a result of the pandemic, many labour disputes have arisen around the world, including Georgia. Therefore, it is very important to hold a discussion on the new challenges in order to ensure decisions made by the Georgian court are in compliance with the international labour standards.”
The webinar was organized within the framework of the Project “Inclusive Labour Markets for Job Creation”, funded by the Government of Denmark (Danida).