On September 24, 2002, energy workers gathered in front of the State Chancellery to protest against the privatization of strategic energy facilities, demanding a reduction in tariffs and payment of 13 months of salary arrears.

A three-member delegation of protesters, led by Miron Firtkhelani, head of the Energy Workers’ Union, met with Deputy State Minister Mamuka Nikoleishvili. The deputy minister tried to persuade them that the country had no other choice but to privatize the facilities. He added that if energy workers considered privatization unjustified, they should develop an alternative energy development plan and present it to the government.

The protest ended without any tangible results. Firtkhelani later told “Media-News” that energy workers would announce their next steps in the coming days.