Nearly a month into their strike for better pay and safer working conditions, workers at online gaming company Evolution Georgia say they face intimidation and physical violence as the company attempts to break their strike rather than continue contract negotiations. More than 4,000 of the company’s 8,000 workers have walked off the job since July 12, according to their union.
Workers presented 44 concerns to the company, which hosts live games from specially equipped studios in six buildings. Employees in the studios, including shufflers, dealers and game presenters, noted poor working conditions and safety and health problems, including ventilation issues, lack of temperature control and unsanitary toilets. Local media reports that workers suffer insect bites, and their chairs create spinal problems.
“I don’t want to suffer from diseases or bites while working at the company,” said striking worker Lana Dzagania. “I want to be compensated fairly for my work. We should feel comfortable and safe at work, which is why we are here to demand what belongs to us. We demand a decent salary.”
Workers Stage Sit-in, Company Threatens Mass Layoffs
On August 1, striking workers staged a sit-in at the company’s main office in Tbilisi, the Republic of Georgia’s capital. The workers pledged not to “physically obstruct” anyone from entering the building but said those wishing to do so would have to “step over” them. During the sit-in, several men appearing to be company security pushed workers away from the entrance, leading to a brief scuffle, though the protest remained largely nonviolent.
Evolution Georgia threatened, via Facebook, “to make operational changes,” including layoffs, to reduce its presence in Georgia. The company is a subsidiary of the Sweden-based global gaming giant, Evolution, which reported operating earnings of $534.3 million in the first quarter of this year.
Discriminatory Practices and Insulting Comments
Internal leaked chat messages from Evolution Georgia managers revealed insulting attitudes toward employees and discriminatory practices, such as team managers mocking employees for their appearance, weight or skin color. The union says it will investigate and expose these statements by managers, demanding that all managers making such comments be properly disciplined, including termination.
Striking Workers Receive Support
The striking workers enjoy broad support as citizens, artists, musicians and union representatives visit their tents, pitched near one of the company’s branches.
“It is our duty to support these people so that this problem does not affect us tomorrow,” said musician Erekle Deisadze, one of many supporters outside the union. “Otherwise, the problem will persist, and people will remain cheap labor in their own country while the company’s profits continue to increase year after year. That’s why I am here.”
The sectoral trade union LABOR, a Georgia Trade Union Confederation (GTUC) affiliate, is standing in solidarity with Evolution employees in their strike.
GTUC President Irakli Petriashvili visited and expressed solidarity with the striking workers. “This is not only your struggle; it is the struggle of all employees. I hope that all sectoral organizations and those involved in the labor market struggle will see this challenge as their own,” Petriashvili said.
AFL-CIO International Director Cathy Feingold expressed the solidarity of American trade unions with the Evolution Georgia strikers, stating, “The AFL-CIO calls on Evolution Georgia management to resolve this labor dispute immediately by meeting the workers’ demands for decent pay and working conditions. The bravery of the workers at Evolution Georgia inspires all of us who fight for workers’ rights and fuels our continued efforts to build global solidarity.”