A protest rally in support of the striking Chiatura miners is currently taking place near the Parliament. They have arrived in Tbilisi from Chiatura to participate in the rally.

The main demand of the miners is the improvement of their working conditions.

Protesters displayed banners with messages such as “Go on strike” and “We can see you even with eyes sewn shut”.

“Georgian Manganese” has announced its plans to return to the old working conditions with a 12-hour working day.

As the company said, it will raise salaries by 5% initially and gradually increase them as profitability improves.

An audit will be carried out and a joint working commission will be set up to listen to workers’ demands and discuss ways to improve the situation, adding: “At this stage, it is impossible to find additional financial resources in the company”.

The miners didn’t accept this statement. They plan to continue their protest.