Zugdidi Central Library Seeks Justice and Prepares for Massive Protests

Zugdidi Central Library Seeks Justice and Prepares for Massive Protests

The staff of the Zugdidi Central Library have been on strike for more than a week, demanding an increase in salaries. The doors of the library are now closed for students, pupils and readers in the region. “Enough of these 30 lari salaries. We want the government to pay attention - they should realize that it is impossible to live on this amount of money,” declares the Director of the library, Tsiala Patsatsia.

The same message was given at a press-conference of 63 librarians. Although more then ten media companies were invited to the press-conference, only three of them attended, making the librarians think that the government is trying to block the issue. “The government promised us increased salaries, but they have not kept their word. Moreover, whenever we demand higher wages, the government threatens us with dismissal. We are not going to stop! People from other districts think the same,” stated library specialist, Khatuna Bechvaia.

According to the librarians, representatives of libraries from Mestia, Sagarejo and Sighnaghi will also take part in the strike. The joint protest is being prepared in almost every region of Georgia, except for Adjara and Kutaisi. As a result of protests, the wages were doubled in these parts of the country.

The librarians claim that they have contacted every government body responsible for this issue: the local government, the Ministry of Culture, the Parliament and even the President; although no adequate answers have been received yet. During the President’s visit to Samegrelo, the librarians got a letter from the Ministry of Culture, explaining that salaries are regulated by the local government. The representatives of the local government however declare that they do not have such powers.

The librarians also asked MPs for help. Gocha Pipia and Nazi Aronia promised they would raise this problem during parliamentary sessions, but as of yet could not keep their promise.

Maya Gubeladze