On May 20, 2021, drivers and distributors employed at the Tbilisi office of the company “Tskali Margebelia” (“Nabeghlavi Mineral Water”) went on strike, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. On May 21, their colleagues from Kutaisi joined the protest. According to the workers, their monthly take-home pay was 637 GEL, with small bonuses ranging from 200 to 230 GEL. The strikers demanded that their take-home pay be increased to 1,000 GEL, which was still below the 2020 national average salary of 1,227 GEL.

The drivers and distributors (employed under the “Margebelia” holding, in LLC “Engadi”) were later joined by other company employees. According to the company, a total of 70 workers were on strike.

The company responded with a statement, saying that “the year 2020 was particularly difficult, and during the pandemic crisis, the company suffered significant financial losses.” The management expressed gratitude to employees “who showed understanding and continued to work despite the situation.”

On May 25, the company released another statement announcing that “an agreement had been reached between the employer and employees, and the factory had resumed operations.” The director expressed readiness to meet with workers at the factory, stating that “the company is prepared to do more for its employees than the agreed terms.”

After receiving a promise of salary and bonus increases, the employees of the distribution company “Engadi” ended their strike on June 2.