Page 9 - GEORptSep19

correct its course on the protection of labour rights, including strengthening the Labour Code and establishing a Labour Conditions Inspection Department in 2015. In February 2019, reforms expanded the powers of the Labour Inspectorate significantly. However, regulations on labour rights and oversight have yet to fully meet International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and international good practices, including those related to mandatory weekly rest, night work, overtime hours and pay, or breaks during shifts. These gaps in the law and oversight facilitate practices that continue to put workers at risk and violate internationally recognised labour rights.
2.4 Editorial team of Georgia’s main anti-government TV station sacked after ownership change
The new director-general of Georgia’s main private TV station Rustavi 2, Paata Salia, announced on August 20 that most of the broadcaster’s prominent journalists and producers are to be dismissed, raising concerns among some critics that a former opposition media outlet could be muzzled, Radio Free Europe reported .
The developments surrounding Rustavi 2 have a negative impact on the media environment in Georgia and will have a negative impact on both media freedom and the democratic development of the country, according to a joint statement signed by NGOs including Transparency International Georgia, Georgia's Democratic Initiative and the Center for Economic Policy Research.
Among those dismissed are head of TV news Nodar Meladze and anchors Giorgi Gabunia, Eka Kvesitadze and Nanuka Zhorzholiani as well as the secretary of director general, Giorgi Laperashvili. Diana Jojua, host of Rustavi-2's main news program, Kurieri, announced on air she was resigning from the station in protest. Her co-host, Mikheil Sesiashvili, also resigned.
Salia said the journalists were “in conflict with the interests” of the new owner and that they were openly negotiating with Nika Gvaramia, the station’s former director who is attempting to establish a rival TV station.
Critics have said new Rustavi 2 owner Kibar Khalvashi is closely tied to the government and that his actions at the television station—formerly outspoken in supporting the opposition—are an attempt by the administration to stifle political dissent in the media ahead of parliamentary polls scheduled for next year.
Following an ECHR ruling, Georgia's Public Registry transferred the ownership of Rustavi-2 to Khalvashi, who immediately fired Gvaramia, the general director seen as being close to Georgia's opposition United National Movement (UNM).
2.4 Georgia issues mixed response to US partner reportedly abandoning Anaklia port project
The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia has released a statement on the withdrawal of US Conti Group from Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC), which is developing the country’s key
9 GEORGIA Country Report September 2019 www.intellinews.com