Important ILO programme to assist Georgia in its efforts to promote labour relations and social dialogue in Georgia

The project is funded by the European Union, and it will be implemented over the period of thirty months by the ILO in close coordination with the Government and the trade unions and employers’ organizations of Georgia.

The project will contribute to improving the governance of the labour market through the application of sound and harmonious labour relations.
It is expected that as a result of the project the tripartite and bipartite dialogue in Georgia will be effectively promoted at national, regional and enterprise levels; effectiveness of employers’ organizations in addressing labour relations issues and in servicing the needs of their constituencies will be improved, as well as the effectiveness of workers’ organizations in addressing labour relations issues and in representing workers’ rights and interests supported.
A wide range of specifically targeted measures will be provided to Georgian constituents (Government, employers and workers organizations) in order to strengthen social dialogue, including, but not limited to: training programmes, including development of training materials, advisory services, and planning workshops.
According to Mr. Davit Sergeenko, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MOLHSA) “the social dialogue embodies the model of balanced interests, which secures the stability in the country. For the development of the social dialogue it is necessary to have the involvement of such international organizations such as EU and ILO that together with the Government support the necessary activities and approaches fostering the social dialogue between employers’ and workers’ organizations as on national so on regional levels.”

[Quote: Mr. Heinz Koller, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, pointed out that “The Georgian economy and society is changing constantly. In principle, we see the development of a functioning market economy with a legal framework based on international labour standards and effective institutions that match the desire of employers for appropriate and sustainable profits with the equally legitimate desire of workers for decent work. The clear political will to use the potential of this institution in the area of labour and social policies surfaced in the new provisions of the Labour Code establishing the Tripartite Social Partnership Commission under the distinguished chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The ILO stands ready with all its instruments, to support Georgia in this endeavor.”]
HE Janos Herman, Ambassador of the EU to Georgia stated the need to underpin the improved Labour Code adopted in 2013 with new institutions and procedures for resolving disputes and developing a negotiation culture: "2014 proved that mediation is useful to avoid the disruption of the economy. Georgia is encouraged to fulfill its own commitment of creating an institution able to inspect working conditions in the spirit of the Georgian Labour Code and ILO standards."
Mr. Irakli Petriashvili, President of Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) stressed that “the culture of social dialogue has to be firmly rooted in our minds and our hearts, as a reality without alternative for our cohabitation, ensuring the development of the society and its stability, which is a guarantee for the economic development of the country. We have to respond to all challenges through dialogue. Social dialogue has to be present on national, regional, sectorial and enterprise levels. This project funded by the European Union, connects us to the European countries, which have substantial experience of social dialogue and for us it is important to share this experience.
Mr. Elguja Meladze, President of Georgian Employers Association (GEA) stated that “social dialogue is of high importance for business, in fact the systematic approach to it is the foundation for the sustainable business.
The Project launch was attended by the representatives of the Georgian Government, Workers’ and Employers’ organizations, the EU Delegation, as well as the Parliament, International organizations, UN Agencies, Embassies, civil society and the media.