Georgia and ILO sign first cooperation agreement to promote decent work in the country

TBILISI, GEORGIA (ILO News) - The DWCP's strategic priorities for the 2024-2025 period focus on enhancing social dialogue and facilitating just transitions to adapt to economic change. Under the first priority, expected results include the improvement of social dialogue at national, regional, sectoral and enterprise levels, wider use of collective bargaining, better equipped employers’ and workers’ organizations to inform policy and law making, the establishment of an adequate national minimum wage system and of a labour dispute settlement mechanism.  

“We believe that the ILO programme will significantly assist us in effectively advocating for the issues we have been highlighting for many years within the tripartite social dialogue, such as the minimum wage, social protection (including unemployment benefits), gender equality (including closing the wage gap), and occupational safety and health. Within the framework of the programme, Georgia must continue working on aligning labour legislation with international labour standards and take steps towards establishing a more comprehensive and sustainable social protection system,” said Irakli Petriashvili, Chairman, Georgian Trade Unions Confederation.  

Under the second priority, the DWCP will aim at increasing the labour force participation of groups most at risk of exclusion through active labour market and social protection policies, enhancing the attractiveness, accessibility and labour-market relevance of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), developing a national strategy of formalisation and promoting a safe and healthy working environment for all. 

‘The Decent Work Country Programme is essential for the country's socio-economic development. It will be the answer to the current challenges in the field of labour relations. The programme will promote employers’ involvement in developing labour relations, implementing collective bargaining, and establishing a system of fair cooperation between employers and workers," explained Elguja Meladze, President, Georgian Employers Association. 

The Government of Georgia, the Georgian Trade Union Confederation (GTUC), the Georgian Employers’ Association (GEA) and the ILO will jointly implement the programme. A tripartite Steering Committee will promote the DWCP, provide overall strategic direction and review its implementation on a semi-annual basis. 

‘Promoting decent working conditions for all Georgian workers is a top priority for the Government of Georgia. The ILO's support in achieving this goal is invaluable. Signing a Decent Work Country Programme will be instrumental in ensuring fair working conditions, promoting collective bargaining, and laying the groundwork for a robust social protection system.’  stated Mr. Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Protection. 

Covering a two-year period, the DWCP is designed to ensure coherence with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and supports Georgia's national development strategy, “Vision 2030”. 

"This first ever tripartite agreement on a structured engagement strategy with the ILO for the next two years is a significant step forward for Georgia. It is a result of constructive and successful discussions among the tripartite constituents and demonstrates the power of social dialogue to arrive at common objectives. The ILO will support the Decent Work Country Programme with technical and financial resources,” said Claire Harasty, ILO Director for Central and Eastern Europe. 

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 13 August 2024 by Ms. Claire Harasty, Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe; Mr. Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health, and Social Protection; Mr. Irakli Petriashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation; and Mr. Elguja Meladze, President of the Georgian Employers Association.