Georgian government to compensate Frontera workers
On 6 August, the Georgian government decided to provide former employees of the oil company 'Frontera' with a one-time assistance of 1,200 lari, reported georgiatoday.
Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava stated that the government is in positive communication with 'Frontera' and calls on the company to pay the salaries to the former employees. “84 former employees of Frontera were fired by the company in December last year. The company owes them about 17 months' salary, which remains a big problem,” she said.
On 4 August, the employees of Frontera held a protest in Dedoplistskaro demanding immediate repayment of the existing debt. The debt amounts up to 1 million lari. Former employees of the company appealed to the court after they were fired by management without explanation.
On 23 July, the Georgian government decided not to terminate its contract with Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation. The government will allow the company to continue operating in some of the original contract area. This location has been producing oil since the Soviet era. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development explained that the state’s decision is conditioned by the strategic goals of the country, in particular the cooperation with the United States.
The US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan welcomed this decision, stating that it is a good sign that showed the “desire and openness from the Georgian side to communicate” on the matter.