Tensions have risen at Evolution Georgia as a hunger strike by workers reached a critical point.
Labor, the trade union behind the strike, reported that one of the participants fell seriously ill and was rushed to hospital by emergency services.
The strike, which began as a protest against low wages and poor working conditions in mid-July, has drawn widespread attention both in Georgia and internationally.
On 13 August, three employees began a hunger strike, citing the company’s refusal to negotiate as the primary reason for their drastic action.
Allegations of violence
The union has also reported that groups hired by Evolution Georgia allegedly attempted to suppress the protests through violent means.
“Last night (Sunday), the company locked the hunger strikers inside the building, moved their belongings to another part of the premises, and prevented other protesters from entering. This process lasted several hours,” the union said in a statement on Facebook.
“Since then, electricity and drinking water have been cut off for the hunger strikers and protesters in the foyer. Those who have been starving for 20 days are not allowed to move freely or use the toilet.”
While the union accuses Evolution Georgia of taking extreme measures to counter the strike — including threats of mass layoffs and suspending health insurance for participating workers — the company claims that the union initiated the confrontation.
Evolution’s perspective
When contacted for comment, Evolution’s head of investor relations Carl Linton told NEXT.io: “We have faced a weekend where the union’s illegal actions have worsened, and we can now add forcefully entering closed buildings and vandalisation to their list of illegal actions.”
According to Evolution, the building in question was closed due to the blockade, and to ensure the safety of its employees. However, two of the strikers forcefully entered the building.
Further, Linton stressed that the workforce reduction in Evolution’s Georgian operations was not due to the strike, but “due to the illegal blockade which has prevented thousands of our employees to enter their workplace and thereby compromising our ability to maintain full operational capacity.”
He added that the union has been “spreading gross misinformation” and their actions are irresponsible and putting both workers and strikers at risk.
“The fact that the union is encouraging young people to risk their health, and break the law, is deeply regrettable. Evolution has, and continues to, urge both working and striking employees not to participate in activities that risk harming others or themselves.
“We believe that the success of solving any labour dispute lies firmly on compliance to the framework set out by Georgian law, not by violating established processes, breaking the law and putting young people in harm’s way,” Linton concluded.
Evolution Georgia, in its latest statement released on 26 August, also expressed concern over the health risks posed by the hunger strike.
The company reiterated its stance, stating that the union’s actions, which it claims included illegal blockades and violence, are unacceptable and have had severe consequences, including ongoing staff reductions.
The company also expressed a willingness to assist with the rehabilitation of the strikers if they end their protest.
Evolution urged to negotiate
Evolution Georgia’s statement came after UNI Global Union, with which Labor is affiliated, accused the company of exploiting workers’ vulnerable social conditions.
On 21 August, UNI Global Union’s head of gaming Giedre Lelyte said: “There is no time to lose. Evolution must stop gambling with workers’ health and safety and urgently intervene to ensure management in Georgia starts negotiating with the union as soon as possible.”
UNI added that the strike is a response to what it describes as “pitiful wages,” dangerous working conditions, and ongoing harassment.
According to UNI, the workers want to double their current salaries of $200 to $250 per month for a 40-hour plus week. “The average salary in Georgia is $700 a month,” the union said.
The union also said managers who were caught harassing and bullying workers are still working at the company.
“This is not just a local matter, more than half of Evolution’s employees are based in Georgia. If the tables were turned, Evolution would never get away with this callous treatment of workers in Sweden,” Lelyte said.
OECD complaint
Meanwhile, according to Georgian media outlet OC Media, Tbilisi-based advocacy group Social Justice Centre (SJC) has filed a complaint with the Swedish contact points at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on behalf of the strikers.
The complaint alleges that Evolution Georgia has violated OECD guidelines on responsible business conduct, particularly in relation to workers’ rights and union activities.
In Evolution’s response to NEXT.io, Linton added: “Evolution is proud of the workplace we offer, where tens of thousands of young Georgians have entered the labour market.
“We offer salaries that are twice as much as for comparable roles in, for example, the service industry, hotels, restaurants, or shops,” he said.
In addition, he stressed that employee benefits also include health insurance, scholarships for study outside work, free language tuition and subsidised restaurants.
NEXT.io has reached out to SJC for comment.
General protest
Last weekend, Labor representative and Evolution employee Tamar Ansiani, one of the early hunger strikers, had intensified her protest by initiating a dry hunger strike in response to what she describes as the company’s unjust actions.
“In about 12 hours, I developed a fever, lost consciousness, and was taken to the hospital,” Ansiani told NEXT.io.
Yesterday (2 September), Ansiani said she is already feeling much better and intends to return to the strike location shortly.
Meanwhile, the union announced a general protest scheduled for 21 September, calling on the public to stand in solidarity.
The union stated that Evolution claimed black-uniformed bouncers were hired for “additional security”.
Labor added that it launched a campaign to expose any misconduct by these individuals.
From Georgia to the US
Meanwhile, the dispute has had far-reaching repercussions, extending all the way to the US.
Last week, the Nevada Independent reported that the Culinary Workers Union, which represents around 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, raised concerns about Evolution’s labour practices during a Nevada gaming regulatory meeting.
In July, Evolution announced that it plans to acquire Las Vegas-based table game supplier Galaxy Gaming.
The union requested the gaming commission to reject Evolution’s licence application in Nevada if the company “continues to refuse to treat its employees with respect and provide for decent wages and safe working conditions.”
However, according to the regulator, Evolution has not yet applied for a licence in Nevada.
