The police organized a crackdown on striking metallurgists in Kutaisi this morning, about 20 police cars took down a tent with 4 hunger strikers and forced out workers supporting them, Georgia Online reports.
12 metallurgists were detained.
The strike started at the Gerkules factory in Kutaisi, owned by Eurasian Steels (India) on September 13. The strike is set to last until the factory fulfils staff demands.
The first trade union at the factory was created on August 4, due to poor labour conditions. The factory lacks an operating toilet, canteen and locker room. The first-aid post operates only during the day, despite high risks of injuries. The staff lack work clothes. But the main problem is labour contracts that offer very low wages, unregulated schedules and no vacation payments. There has been no wage indexing for 3 years. Any attempts to hold a dialogue with the factory's authorities have resulted in punishments and the firing of 6 workers on August 11.
The factory was launched in late 2008.
About 350 strikers were at the scene, 150 Indian civilians continue working at the factory.
