European Union is not going to sign a new GSP plus agreement with Georgia, unless the Government of Georgia changes existing Labour Code, discontinues persecution of trade unions and begins genuine social dialogue. This statement comes after the president of Georgian Trade Unions Confederation Irakli Petriashvili held high level meetings with the members of European Parliament in the beginning of October in Brussels.

‘’We had meetings with the representatives of our traditional partners from Social-democratic Faction, as well as members of the European Peoples Party Group of the European Parliament. Everyone openly demonstrates its support towards Georgian Trade Union Movement and their main message is that they do not want Georgian Government to stay alone, face to face with Russia. Therefore, Georgian Government must meet all the obligations assumed under the international conventions ratified by Georgia in the framework of EU integration’’- stated Irakli Petriashvili.

‘’The members of European Parliament will ask EU commissioners to report, what does the Government of Georgia do in order to change Labour Code, stop trade union harassment and initiate genuine social dialogue. It is also worth mentioning that there will be held parliamentary hearing in EU parliament in Strasbourg in November about the state of Trade Union rights in Georgia, that was initiated by a member of EU parliament Marc Tarabella. The members of the EU parliament also claimed that EU-Georgian negotiations about Free Trade Agreement may start. However, it will not be signed if the Government of Georgia does not comply with above mentioned requirements and the labour relations will not be in conformity with internationally recognized standards.’’- added Irakli Petriashvili.