Leaders of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation Show Solidarity with the Histadrut and Israeli People

The GTUC President and leaders of the Union Confederation arrived in Israel for a solidarity visit.

During their visit last week, they learned about Histadrut’s initiative, ‘Beyahad Bishvilcha’ – Together For You, a social discounts and benefits club that helps Histadtur members reduce their expenses. They met with Georgian doctors who are completing their internship at Ashkelon Hospital and heard about their experience working under missile attacks. They also met with Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David to discuss mutual concerns and show their solidarity with the Histadrut and the workers in Israel.

In the meeting with Bar-David, GTUC President Irakli Petriashvili said: “We came here to refute the negative discourse about Israel in the world. Friendship is two-way. People have already forgotten what happened on October 7th. If they only knew the facts.” He added that he sees great importance in working together and in education and vocational training for the development of workers.

Histadrut Chairman Bar-David said in the meeting: “I am familiar with the history and the good relations between the trade unions in the Histadrut in Israel and the trade unions in Georgia. It is heartwarming to see the friendship, the common values, and the concern for work, wages, and working conditions of the workers.”

The delegation to Israel also included Tamar Surmava, GTUC Vice President; Lavrenti Alania – GTUC Vice President and President of Trade Union of Georgian Automobile Transport and Highways’ Workers; and Irakli Amiranashvili, President of Health, Pharmaceutical and Social Care Workers’ Independent Trade Union.

Director of International Relations Avital Shapira-Shabirow said: “This solidarity visit has strengthened our bilateral relationship at the confederation and member-unions levels. We had fruitful discussions on our mutual challenges as unions and our vision and paths in promoting the rights of Georgian and Israeli workers.”