10 November 2012, 23:00
In Georgia, HPP builders are on strike
In Georgia, workers on the construction of the Paravan Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) declared a strike, demanding to raise wages and pay arrears for two months.
According to the builders, they are paid for their work 400-700 laris (1 US dollar is equivalent to 1.65 laris), and the Turkish workers and professionals earn up to 2000 US dollars.
The workers consider this ratio unfair and state that they do not intend to resume work till their demands are met, the "Georgia Online" reports.
Meanwhile, a representative of the construction company has reported that the Turkish company, the contractor in construction of the HPP, abandoned its obligations, and its administration is under change. According to him, that fact caused the problems in payment of wages; however, proposals for raise of wages are not yet considered, the "Ekho Kavkaza" (Echo of the Caucasus) reports.
The Paravan HPP is under construction in South Georgia at Lake Paravani. The new HPP was being built by the Turkish company LLC (Limited Liability Company) "Georgian-Urban Energy". The volume of investments should reach the amount of about 100 million US dollars. The HPP capacity will be 78 MW, the "Vestnik Kavkaza" (Bulletin of the Caucasus) reports.