Organisers of the strike against the online gaming service Evolution Georgia, now entering its third month, arranged a protest in front of the Swedish Embassy in Tbilisi.
On Monday, around 15 striking employees shifted their demonstration to the Swedish Embassy in Tbilisi for the day, criticising what they described as the embassy’s defence of Evolution Georgia.
The Embassy became the target of criticism after it praised Evolution Georgia for its ‘healthy and supportive workplace’, amidst an ongoing strike by Evolution Georgia employees, some of whom were on a hunger strike. The statement came as part of a Facebook series highlighting Swedish businesses, a post that also reported a recent meeting between Swedish Ambassador Anna Lyberg and the CEO of Evolution Georgia’s parent company, Evolution Gaming, Martin Carlesund.
The strike organisers have repeatedly called for the Embassy to intervene in the labour dispute.
After receiving harsh criticism on social media, the Embassy issued a separate statement on 13 September, widely seen as an apparent attempt to mitigate the negative reactions.
‘We expect all Swedish companies operating in Georgia to comply with the applicable laws and regulations and that any arising matters are handled in line with best practices’.
[Read more: Swedish Embassy sparks outcry after praising Evolution Georgia’s ‘supportive workplace’]
Speaking outside the Embassy in Tbilisi on 16 September, one of the strike organisers, Giorgi Diasamidze, claimed that the Embassy’s support for the company had inadvertently ‘encouraged’ an attack on two strike participants by unidentified men. The attack on Kamil Azimovi and his unnamed coworker was reported on 15 September. Diasamidze noted that this was shortly after the Embassy publicised their support for the company.
The protracted strike has been marred by occasional altercations with individuals who appear to be from a private security company hired by Evolution Georgia.
‘I would have never imagined that I would come to the Swedish Embassy to protest something’, Diasamidze noted during his speech.
Diasamidze and others confirmed that shortly before their demonstration, the Embassy expressed their openness to meet with them. However, during the gathering, no such meeting occurred.
Evolution Georgia’s parent company, Evolution Gaming, has maintained that the strike and its ‘blockade and vandalism’ are illegal. In a statement given to Swedish daily Göteborgs-Posten, the company’s investment relations director, Carl Linton, said that the company’s ‘continued highest priority is to ensure that the absolute majority of our employees who continue to work can get to their workplace in a safe and secure manner’.
Evolution Georgia has, since the beginning of the strike, accused its employees on strike of restricting access to the company’s offices, a claim denied by said employees.
‘A couple of weeks ago, Sweden’s ambassador visited our premises. The visit was much appreciated, especially since the image given of the conflict was characterised by incorrect information and misunderstandings. The situation is most deplorable, and we are working within the framework of the law to achieve a solution’, Linton said.
Magnus Kjellsson, the international secretary of the Swedish Engineers Union, told Göteborgs-Posten that Evolution Georgia ‘rejected offers’ from Georgian unions and assistance from others in Sweden.
‘As it looks now, it is a downward spiral that affects all parties. There is also an element of human suffering as a consequence of what’s happening there’, he said, adding that the Swedish Embassy’s statement risked ‘fueling the conflict’.
‘It’s a chaotic situation with accusations from both sides. Here it’s about urging both parties to remain calm’, Kjellsson said
According to the organisers, the strike has involved over 4,000 employees. However, Evolution Georgia has disputed this number, claiming that the actual number is closer to 700.
The strike has vied for public support during the summer lull, and has also fought for attention amidst the political campaigns in the lead up to the crucial parliamentary elections in October.
