For a number of years, the ILO has been working together with the High School of Justice of Georgia to train judges in the judicial use of international labour standards in resolving labour disputes in domestic courts. At the same time, the ILO has been working with the Parliament of Georgia in reforming the labour legislative framework, which, on 29 September 2020, culminated in the adoption of amendments to the Labour Code and a new Law on Labour Inspection Services.

On 24 – 25 October fifteen judges from a number of City and Appellate Courts came together virtually to learn about the amendments and exchange views on their impact on current and future cases before them. Specific issues discussed included the possible retroactive effect of the amendments, termination of employment, certain aspects of working hours, parental leave, the prohibition of discrimination, the transfer of undertakings, the right to strike and enforcement.

The exchange was moderated by Zakaria Shvelidze, National Expert, and Lejo Sibbel, Sr. Specialist on International Labour Standards and Labour Law of the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It was organized within the framework of the ILO Project “Inclusive Labour Markets for Job Creation in Georgia”, funded by the Government of Denmark.