To significantly improve the social guarantees of police officers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed a package of legislative amendments, which has already been submitted to the Parliament of Georgia, the Ministry reports.

According to the draft law, amendments will be made to the Law of Georgia on Police, under which social guarantees will increase in cases of injury or death during the performance of official duties.

• Compensation in case of a police officer's death during duty will be doubled — instead of 15,000 GEL, the family of a deceased police officer will receive a one-time payment of 30,000 GEL. Additionally, burial expenses will increase from 500 GEL to 2,000 GEL.

• One-time financial assistance in case of health damage will also increase: • For severe health damage — 20,000 GEL instead of 7,000 GEL • For moderately severe damage — 15,000 GEL instead of 4,000 GEL • For minor injury — 10,000 GEL instead of 2,000 GEL

• The amendments also introduce a new type of leave due to health conditions, which did not previously exist. • For injuries sustained during duty, an employee may be granted paid leave for up to 1 year, during which all medical and associated expenses (including rehabilitation, transportation if needed, care services, etc.) will be covered. Salary and bonuses will also be fully preserved. • The 1-year period may be extended based on the conclusion of an internal commission, in accordance with procedures set by the Minister.

• Leave due to health conditions will also apply not only to duty-related injuries but also to other illnesses. In such cases, the leave will be granted for 4 months, and may be extended based on a medical report under procedures established by the Minister.

Under the Minister’s order, social guarantees may also be extended to:

• family members of a person employed within the system, and
• individuals dismissed from the ministry/system due to loss of capacity to work.

Details regarding medical expenses coverage and material assistance will be specified in ministerial regulations.

Similar amendments will also be made to the Law of Georgia on Civil Safety, ensuring that firefighters and rescuers benefit from the same guarantees.