Evolution threatens “larger-scale layoffs” amid ongoing trade union dispute in Georgia
Supplier says the union, which has staged walkouts at the company’s Tbilisi office, has “stripped thousands of employees from their job opportunities”
Evolution has threatened to terminate employee contracts across Georgia as an ongoing trade union dispute threatens to engulf the live casino giant.
Talks between Evolution Georgia and local unions have been deadlocked since the start of July, with at least 5,000 staff originally planning to strike on 12 July, according to local media.
OC Media, a news outlet covering the Caucasus region, reported staff complaints of allegedly unsafe and unsanitary workplaces, as well as harassment and inadequate pay.
However, the total number of staff who went on strike action on 12 July was closer to 500 out of the total 7,000 staff Evolution employs in the former Soviet republic.
In the intervening period, Evolution Georgia had reported, via Facebook, that it had “managed to operate smoothly over the past few weeks” until 1 August.
The supplier claimed that the implicated union had “blocked entrances to company buildings and stripped thousands of employees from their job opportunities”.
Some employees had been on strike since 12 July, with the process having been initiated by the UNI Global Union’s Georgian affiliate, Labor, which organises live dealers and presenters via the EVO union.
Giedre Lelyte, UNI head of gaming, said: “We stand with our members in their fight for fair treatment and better working conditions.
“This collective action signifies a strong and unified front against the issues they face. It is imperative that Evolution stops stalling and engages in meaningful dialogue to resolve these issues as soon as possible.”
Evolution added that the presence of the union was impacting the company’s Georgian operations and that if the situation did not change, Evolution would be “forced to make operational changes, including termination of labour contracts, in order to limit our representation in Georgia”.
The supplier added: “We have been investing in Georgia for six years, offering job opportunities to young people without experience.
“However, the situation has now changed to a sad reality, impacting both the company and the thousands of Evolution employees who want to continue working for the company.
“Should the situation continue unresolved, we will find ourselves forced by the actions taken by the union to make operational adjustments including larger-scale layoffs of employees to reduce our presence in Georgia.”
Evolution opened its latest hub in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in 2018.
EGR has contacted Evolution for comment.