18 June 2020

Georgia’s parliament is scheduled to begin discussing a package of amendments to the country’s labor legislation this week, Human Rights Watch said today. If adopted, the amendments would offer much greater protection to workers and go a long way toward bringing Georgia’s labor legislation in line with international standards and good practices.

The draft amendments envisage strengthening the labor inspectorate and regulating work hours, overtime, night work, mandatory weekly rest, and breaks during shifts.

“Georgia’s lack of labor regulations has led to poor labor practices that put thousands of workers at heightened risks,” said Giorgi Gogia, associate Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Parliament should do the right thing and adopt reforms urgently needed to stop abusive practices and improve workers’ health and safety.”