Women from Gurjaani Administrative Board Were Demanded to Collect Money

Recently, because of Women’s Day, ladies working at the Gurjaani Municipality have been presented with some money. They received 20, 30 or 50 lari as a present during previous years. As for this year, they received gifts according to their salaries-that was half of their monthly salary; however, the women returned 20 lari back to the Administration under the demand of the Head of the Financial-Economic Service Department.

“On March 7 we received presents for the March 8. However the head of the abovementioned department categorically demanded to return 20 lari to them. An employ of that department, Tsitsi Tsitsishvili followed us with a cellophane bag and collected money. As far as I know they have collected money in other departments as well. They told us that they were going to buy presents for the wives of the Governor and his deputies. Unless we paid money, we would have problems. Actually, twenty lari is a big money for me,” said an employee form the Financial-Economic Department in her conversation with Human Rights Center, who preferred to stay anonymous.

Another employee has also informed the Human Rights Center about the fact. “There are 22 employees in the Financial-Economic Department. Under Kutibashvili’s demand, more than 400 GEL was collected in our department. They collected money among cleaners too whose wages are 50 lari and some tetris. Some of us did not want to obey the demand because reduction is planned at the administrative board and 20 lari is important for us unlike those who have their salaries increased. The point is that they even threatened us- Kutibashvili said only 8 out of 26 employees will remain and this fact would be taken into consideration during the selection.”

We checked the information with some other employees of the Financial-Economic department. Some of them did not deny the fact in private talks; however they wanted to remain anonymous. Later on, the respondents got in touch with us and reminded us of our promise to keep their names in secret, since the administrative board learned the center was inquiring the situation. “The head of the department got furious.She shouted at us and demanded to say which of us had spread the information. Please, do not tell them my name; they would sack me tomorrow if they learn about me. Today she is terrorizing us the whole day. She threatens to take us to the Governor’s office and make us explain the reasons to him why we had spread the information,” said one of our respondents.

Ana Kutibashvili categorically denied accusations. “We distributed half of their monthly salaries regarding the women’s day. As for twenty lari we have not demanded them to collect that money. The employees do not face the danger of firing. We all have signed labor contracts and nobody knows who will remain after the contract expires. On March 7 I really traveled to Tbilisi; however I did not buy any presents there, I was at the Ministry. Neither have I ordered anyone to buy something. I cannot say what other people did. You should ask questions those people who bought presents. I cannot say anything more. You can find out additional information at the Administrative Board,” said Kutibashvili.

Lela Mekokishvili called us later. “Why are you putting us in an awkward situation? They doubt about anyone from the department and the situation has become too tense. If you publish it, we will appeal against you at the court. Do you want to have problems?” said the woman over the phone in a threatening tone.

We got in touch with Governor Ramaz Kerechashvili and his deputies to comment on the situation; however none of them wanted to speak with us.

According to our respondents, the wives of high ranking officials returned the presents after the incident. They have left expensive jewelry at some shop in order to sell them. The employees of the Administrative Board were promised to return their twenty lari.

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti