Workers of the Batumi Oil Refinery Demand Their Rights Be Protected

Yesterday, nearly 300 employees of the oil refinery held a demonstration in the refinery area. According to them, the refinery has a new owner, and they are going to be fired.

Shakro Diasamidze joined the demonstrators, too. "I am not against selling the refinery, but we demand the protection of workers' rights. I have been maintaining my family with the salary I earned at this refinery for forty years. If they fire me now, how can I keep my family with a pension?" said Diasamidze.

Although Lali Khabeishvili is not too old to retire, she is afraid of losing a job, too. She said it is totally impossible for middle-aged people to find jobs. "We demand from the investor to keep us employed. If they fire me, I will not find any work…"

Representatives of the Adjara Region Trade Union have information about the refinery having been sold. The demonstration was organized by the representatives of the Trade Union. Ilia Veradze, Deputy Chairman of the Trade Union, said that the owners should protect workers' rights. "The previous owner, during the sale of the refinery, should have demanded that the investors protect the workers' rights, compensate retired people, and employ specialists in the contract."

The chief of the Refinery Administration, Fridon Mchedlidze, did not come to the demonstration. He was not in the city at the time. He said over the phone, "I have not received any notification from the Ministry about selling the refinery."

Georgian Economic Ministry does not confirm the purchase of the oil refinery. The press service within the ministry disseminated information that the refinery is going to be sold directly. However, negotiations with investors are being held at present.

Unofficial information states that the Green Oak Group has agreed to purchase the refinery. Russian websites state that the firm has already purchased the refinery and paid 27 million USD for it.

Representatives of the "Green Oak Group", who own the port, the oil pipeline, oil refinery and textile mill in Batumi, do not comment the fact. The owner of the firm, Ian Bonden Nilsen, is not in Adjara at present.

Batumi Oil Refinery has been in operation for fifteen years now. Previously it employed 10 000 people. Currently, only 300 people are employed in the administration, lab and security of the refinery.  By the end of the year the workers' contracts will expire.

Sofo Zhghenti, Batumi