A RALLY in support of striking miners from Chiatura in western Georgia took place in front of the country’s parliament in Tbilisi on Monday evening.

More than 3,000 workers who mine manganese, an element used for making steel, have been on strike for the last 15 days.

Ten of the workers are on hunger strike, and some miners have resorted to desperate actions, such as sewing their mouths and eyelids shut. 

Forty miners travelled from Chiatura for the protest, before camping outside parliament overnight. They plan to march to the headquarters of Georgian Manganese, the company operating the mines, later today.

Along with a salary increase, miners are calling for better safety, paid sick leave, the right to take holiday, and more comprehensive health insurance, according to Georgia Fair Labour platform.

The workers are also calling for the suspension of interest on debt. Earning an average of $300 (£235) a month, many rely on loans to cover their living expenses. During the temporary closure of mines earlier this year, local banks agreed with Georgian Manganese to pause loan repayments, but accumulating interest has left miners even worse off.

In February, Georgian Manganese halted production at all 15 of its mines in Chiatura and placed employees on 60 per cent pay. The closure was blamed on a global market crisis affecting ferroalloys, which are one of Georgia’s key exports.

In May, 700 miners were told to return to work and the company released plans to “optimise” production. Shifts were reduced from 12 to eight hours, while workers say the company drastically increased ore quotas, which they fear could put their lives at risk.

The workforce have since negotiated a return to the previous shift pattern, however they are still trying to come to an agreement on pay, after rejecting an “insulting” 5 per cent raise.

Chiatura is completely dependent on the mines, which are a key source of employment. In a town of 20,000, up to 4,000 people work in the mining industry.