**Chiatura Miners Face Crisis as Company Shuts Down**
Miners in the Georgian town of Chiatura have been protesting since March after their employer, Georgian Manganese, shut down operations and failed to pay promised salaries. This has led to a dire financial crisis for the town’s residents.
**Mining Operations Suspended Since Last Year**
Mining operations in Chiatura were suspended in November due to a drop in ferroalloy prices and protests at the mines. The company, Chiatura Management Company (CMC), promised to resume operations within four months and pay miners 60% of their salaries in the meantime.
**No Pay, No Resumption**
However, after four months, mining operations have not resumed, and the miners say they have not been paid the promised 60% of their salaries for several months. This led to protests on March 1, demanding government intervention to protect workers‘ rights.
**Company Blames Protests for Closure**
On March 7, CMC announced that it would not resume underground mining, citing “unprofitability” and blaming months of recurring protests that had paralyzed operations. The company claimed to have paid its employees a total of GEL 83 million (about USD 30 million) during the closure.
**Protests Intensify**
The citizens are protesting the company’s decision to shut down production and demanding that the Georgian government address their urgent needs, including unpaid wages. They are also calling for the nationalization of the mining industry in Chiatura.
**No Government Response**
By the third week of the protest, no representatives from the ruling Georgian Dream party had met with them. The Social Justice Center said the government shares responsibility, as Georgian Manganese has been run by a state-appointed special manager since 2017.
**Protests to Continue**
The protesters have vowed to blockade the town hall and shut down the town if their demands are not met. They also plan to prevent the company from exporting manganese from the town.
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