We somehow missed this, tucked away in a small trade publication article 2 months ago. But this is big news. Contract for phase 2B of #SGR is signed, Phase 3 under study. Total cost: $13 billion. That's in addition to what we've already spent.
railjournal.com/infrastructure…

As #Georgia 's foreign agent bill goes to first committee hearings, Human Rights Watch joins our statement against the proposed law. 'Their goal is not transparency; it is to attack our basic rights and silence critical organizations.' hrw.org/news/2024/04/1…

This week in #Georgia , 2 people were arrested for allegedly stealing supermarket loyalty points. They face up to 11 yrs in jail. Meanwhile, supermarket owners steal from their employees with impunity, via #wagetheft . How many have been arrested? Zero.
shroma.ge/en/wagetheft-i…

'The Georgian government’s goals for the foreign agent bill clearly include crushing independent trade unions, which have been instrumental in sounding the alarm about Georgia’s dismal wages, poor record on worker safety, union busting & more.'
shroma.ge/en/news-en/geo…

The government's new 'foreign agent' bill is a blatant attempt to control, stigmatize and limit the influence of independent media & civil society. We believe it would directly harm workers' rights as well.
Our statement condemning the bill: shroma.ge/en/news-en/geo…

We're coming up on 2 years since we won a court case requiring the government to hand over the #SGR contracts. Yet we still have no documents, no indication of an appeal, and no action against govt officials who've refused to comply. Just silence. okoamombasa.org/en/show-us-the…

The living wage in #Georgia is 1,706 ₾ per month, but a typical worker makes about 60% of that. Earning a living wage shouldn't be a pipe dream. It’s every worker’s right, and the government has a responsibility to facilitate that right. Learn more: shroma.ge/en/living-wage…

‘Foreign Agent’ Laws Spread as #EU Dithers to Support Civil Society, a reaction to the news out of #Georgia and #Kyrgyzstan this week as they move on repressive civil society legislation hrw.org/news/2024/04/0… + a thread 🧵 1/9

Georgia's parliament is considering a new minimum wage bill. Read why we think the proposal needs wider consultation - and better grounding in human rights standards:
shroma.ge/en/news-en/deb…

A mine in Kabwe, closed 30 years ago, still causes severe and lifelong health impacts on the children of Kabwe and nearby residents. The government cannot delay comprehensive clean up any further.

hrw.org/news/2024/03/1…

Another Worker Dies in Unsafe Mombasa Worksite

A construction worker in Mombasa tragically died yesterday after a fall from an elevator he was working on.
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#Georgia has come a long way since the 1990s. Why is its minimum wage still stuck there? The current figure of 20₾/month is a clear violation of intl human rights law. It's time to update it, as Georgia prepares for a UN review next week. My new op-ed: oc-media.org/opinions/opini…

Worth a read: Khelef Khalifa has had quite a few adventures in his time as a human rights activist. The takeaway: Persistence brings results. It's not always easy and you don't always win, but the fight is always worth fighting. the-star.co.ke/counties/coast…

Today's The Standard Digital my final blast at the powers that be- for now!

Farewell column from our friend and founding member Gabriel Dolan. Thank you Father Dolan your immense contributions to Kenya, Coast and #OkoaMombasa . We salute you and wish you the best for whatever comes next.

In #Georgia , work just doesn’t pay.
It takes 1,706₾ per month just to cover basic needs - a so-called living wage. But the median wage is just 1,040₾ per month. Work shouldn’t be a path to poverty.
Workers should make a living wage. Learn more: shroma.ge/en/living-wage…

Russia's Supreme Court ruling banning 'international LGBT movement' as extremist was unhinged and dystopian. It also opened the floodgates for arbitrary prosecutions.
New Human Rights Watch report/analysis hrw.org/news/2024/02/1…

More news from the Scandal Gauge Railway #SGR . Scamming people out of their land. What a surprise!
pd.co.ke/news/kenya-rai…

Fr Dolan started his ministry in Kenya, in 1982, shortly after the attempted coup. He served in Lodwar Diocese, then Kitale before settling in Mombasa, 16 years ago, where he founded Haki Yetu Organization.

Georgia starts its review by the UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights in March, its first such review in 22 years. Read what we think the Committee should focus on, including the 20 GEL minimum wage - a blatant violation of the #ICESCR .
shroma.ge/en/news-en/geo…