Business Ombudsman Otar Danelia says that employing local human resources should be a top priority for Georgian businesses. He made the statement in response to BMG’s question regarding the new regulation on the employment of foreigners recently adopted by Parliament.
The Georgian Dream-led Parliament passed amendments to the Law on Labor Migration in an accelerated manner earlier this year. The new rules require foreign nationals to obtain a special work permit in order to be legally employed in Georgia. The amendments aim to combat illegal labor migration and support the development of the domestic labor market.
While the Business Ombudsman’s Office did not initially comment on the law when it was adopted in June, Otar Danelia has now clarified his position, saying that no business has approached the Office with concerns over the new restrictions.
“First of all, it is important that local human resources are employed as much as possible. Businesses have not come to us regarding this issue,” Danelia said. “Our position is that Georgian citizens should be in the best possible conditions. I doubt that business is in such need that it necessarily requires foreign staff, except perhaps in some specialized expert areas.”
According to Danelia, Georgia has sufficient human resources to meet the country’s employment needs.
“In terms of daily employment, Georgia has a fairly large human resource base that can be realized and engaged in business,” he added.
