On August 6, 2021, employees of Tbilisi’s municipal cleaning service, “Tbilservice Group” — including drivers and garbage collectors — went on strike demanding better working conditions: higher wages, vehicle repairs, replacement of trash bins, and new uniforms.

“Tbilservice Group” is a state-owned company, fully controlled by Tbilisi City Hall.

Part of the staff gathered at the company’s office on Beliashvili Street in Dighomi, blocking other drivers from leaving the premises with garbage trucks. The strike created serious problems across the city — bins overflowed, garbage piled up on streets, and the summer heat made the smell unbearable.

That same day, Tbilisi City Hall released a statement saying that some employees had returned to work. Mayor Kakha Kaladze later published a video at dawn on August 7 showing the waste collection process, wearing a sanitation worker’s vest and gloves himself. He described the strike as being “organized by a few criminals” and said there might be grounds for criminal prosecution.

On the morning of August 7, striking workers gathered again. They were promised by City Hall that, except for salary increases, all other demands would be met within 15 days, and the strike was called off.

On August 23, it was reported that one of the most vocal participants of the protest, Irakli Baghdavadze — who had spoken publicly about corruption — was fired. He continued his protest, first by going on hunger strike in front of the company’s Dighomi office and later near Bidzina Ivanishvili’s residence in September 2021, where police prevented him from staying overnight. He then moved his protest to City Hall on Shartava Street. City Hall stated that he was dismissed for organizing an “illegal strike” and pressuring coworkers. Baghdavadze was eventually forced to end his hunger strike due to health issues and continued his fight through legal means.