An international conference “Legislative and Practical Challenges Facing Georgian Labor Law” organized by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) focused on the issues of creating a neutral academic platform for discussing modern problems of labor law in Georgia and promoting dialogue. During the two-day conference, professors from the TSU Faculty of Law, experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United States and Europe, representatives of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation, judges and lawmakers discussed labor relations as well as challenges facing legal reforms in Georgia.
Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze; Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Nicholas Berliner; Director of the FES South Caucasus Office, Felix Hett; ILO’s Chief Technical Advisor Zsolt Dudas; representatives of Georgian legislative and executive authorities, students, professors and business people attended the event.
“Discussions are now underway about how harmonize Georgian labor law and labor relations with European legislation. We are aspiring towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration and therefore, synchronization in all directions is vital,” Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said. He also noted that European legislation is the best example of how the interests of everyone, including those of employers and employees should be taken into account.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Nicholas Berliner noted that Georgian and foreign experts as well as representatives of the International Labour Organization are cooperating to improve Georgia’s labor law. He also said that the main task is to create necessary mechanisms and regulations in order to bring Georgian labor law closer to European standards.
The conference was supported by the Georgian Post. Levan Chikvaidze, the company’s director general, said that “new legal framework existing in the country has been approximated to European standards and western civilized world as much as possible. However, it is essential to introduce innovative practical examples and hold a dialogue in order to put it into practice.”
The organizers and participants summarized the results of the conference and outlined the plans for future cooperation.
