Miners in Chiatura hold protest rally

Miners in Chiatura are holding a protest rally.

The miners, who were dismissed by the Chiatura Management Company, have been protesting for the 16th day in Chiatura.

According to the participants in the protest, no one has shown interest in their issues since the protest began.

One of the protest participants told Interpressnews that their main demand is the nationalization of Chiatura manganese and that the profits derived from natural resources should be managed by the state, not private companies.

They also stated that it is important to create a fund – the Chiatura Joint-Stock Company, which will hold a 5% stake in Chiatura manganese and allocate the funds obtained for the development of Chiatura.

Another protest participant, Tariyel Mikhtadze, stated that the reason for the miners' dismissal is the company's attitude, which aims to make large profits with minimal costs.

The protesters also do not rule out the possibility of transferring the protest to other cities, including Tbilisi, if the government does not show any initiative to resolve the issue.

For reference, the protesters have been protesting for the 16th day against the suspension of underground work by the mining company. The employees of Chiatura Management Company are demanding that the state take over the mining of minerals from the company.