UNI Global Union’s Head of Gaming, Giedre Lelyte, stated: “There is no time to lose. Evolution must stop gambling with workers’ health and safety and urgently intervene to ensure management in Georgia starts negotiating with the union as soon as possible.”
EVO union, affiliated with UNI through the LABOR trade union in Georgia, claims the company has responded by threatening to fire a thousand workers and suspending health insurance for all strikers, including cancer patients, pregnant women, and employees with chronic illnesses – which is illegal.
The strike is making headlines in Georgia; however, the company remains intransigent despite calls from the national Ombudsman to negotiate with EVO.
Workers are protesting against dire working conditions at the Tbilisi-based studio employing around 8,000 workers. Issues include water leaking from bathrooms onto electrical systems, insect infestations within the building, and lack of ventilation and air conditioning.
Wages are another significant concern. The online gaming workers aim to double their current salaries of $200 to $250 per month for a 40-hour plus week—a fraction of what casino workers earn for similar jobs. The average salary in Georgia is $700 per month.
The union also reports that managers caught harassing and bullying workers continue to work at the company.
“This is not just a local matter; more than half of Evolution’s employees are based in Georgia. If the tables were turned, Evolution would never get away with this callous treatment of workers in Sweden,” said Lelyte.
After highlighting health and safety risks along with the hunger strike to the Georgian parliament, the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Defence has been tasked with investigating working conditions at Evolution.
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