Address of NGOs about persecution and discrimination of the members of New Trade Union of the Georgian Railway

“We are concerned over the facts of grave violation of Freedom of Association by the administration of JSC "Georgian Railway" and non-fulfillment of the agreement reached after the strike on 3 December 2014. We demand to stop persecution, unfair disciplinary punishment and discrimination policy toward   leaders, activists and members of the Railway Workers New Trade Union.

We call on

- the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, to effectively monitor the fulfillment of the agreement between JSC “Georgian Railway” administration and the Railway Workers New Trade Union reached after 8 day strike on 3 December 2014, as well as to facilitate social dialogue in accordance with the law and to end discrimination policy in  the company . 

- the Georgian  State Partnership Fund to bring under its control the actions of the Georgian State Railway administration and to prevent further restrictions on the freedom of association and to take a responsibility over the timely and effective implementation of the obligations assumed under the collective agreement with the Railway Workers New Trade Union.

- The Georgian Government and its adviser in human rights field, to facilitate timely and effective response to the written appeals by the Railway Workers New Trade Union over the reported facts of violation of freedom of association in Georgian State Railways. 

We request 

- the diplomatic missions in Georgia to raise the issue of persecution and discriminatory policies exercised against Railway Workers New Trade Union with  the  government  of Georgia through the existing formats of dialogue on human rights and relevant political and economic thematic discussions.

Civil society representatives express our solidarity with the Railway Workers New Trade Union and its members’ in their endevour to fully exercise their democratic civil and labour rights and freedoms. 

Signatories :

1. Article 42 of the Constitution

2. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)

3. Civic Development Institute

4. Human Rights Center (HRIDC)

5. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)

6. Transparency International Georgia (TI-Georgia)

7. Identity

8. Young Social-Democrats

9. Tbilisi Fabian Society

10.   Safar 

11.   Student Multimedia Group - Reactor

12.   Green Fist

13.   Young Greens of Georgia

14.   Students’ Self-governance Network

15.   Student Solidarity Movement

16.   Youth GTUC