Violation of safety standards revealed at 120 construction sites in Tbilisi

Since July 23, up to 120 construction sites have been inspected in Tbilisi and 53 ones were suspended due to violations of labor conditions. The amount of the imposed fine exceeds GEL 1.6 million.

The information was released by Beka Peradze, head of the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Refugees, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia's occupied territories.

Peradze explained that labor security violations were observed at all sites and 53 facilities the safety norms were in critical condition, thus the construction of these facilities was suspended. The other facilities were given a 10-day deadline to eliminate the shortcomings.

“Various types of discrepancies have been identified, including absence of hazard assessment on construction sites or preventive measures taken. Also, collective and individual protection measures were not properly carried out,” he said.

The Head of the Labor Inspection Department said repeated inspection will take place after 10 days and the same facilities will be checked again.

“To date, more than GEL 1 million 600 thousand worth fines have been imposed. We will make sure the facilities eliminate the shortcomings,” he added.

This summer, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said violation during construction will be charged with criminal liability. The Mayor noted that increasing fines for construction violations 10 times brought a positive outcome, but the challenges remain, this is why the City Hall took to radical measures.

“I am convinced that this mechanism will eliminate all the problems that pose a threat to the city,” he said.

The planned changes include making some of the violations, which before were an administrative offense, criminal ones.

In particular, the criminal liability will be imposed in case of a violation of the parameter, height, unauthorized constructions and not fulfilling the order about the suspension of the construction.

Moreover, from 1 September 2019, the Law of Georgia on Labor Safety will apply not only to the dangerous, heavy and hazardous labor fields but to all sectors of economic activity.

Georgian Parliament adopted a law on Labor Safety with the third and final reading on March 7, 2018. According to the law, sanctions for the breach of safety norms were tightened, and fines were increased from 100 to 50,000 GEL.