Georgia’s construction sector continues to face a major challenge: a shortage of qualified workers. According to Irakli Gogolishvili, General Director of the leading construction company Anagi, the industry is forced to import foreign personnel and invest in retraining local staff to meet growing demands.
“We bring in a large number of workers from abroad and retrain local personnel, but these efforts aren’t enough,” said Gogolishvili. “As our company grows, so does the need for skilled labor.”
He believes that vocational education should play a bigger role in addressing the labor gap, encouraging more young people to pursue construction-related careers.
Gogolishvili also expressed concern over recent legislative changes. Amendments to the Labor Migration Law, passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, now require foreign workers to obtain special permits for employment, a move he says could delay or obstruct project deadlines.
“We understand there are national security considerations, but we need a clear, flexible mechanism for employing qualified foreign professionals. The construction sector works on strict timelines, and clarity on new procedures is essential,” he emphasized.
With construction activity continuing at a strong pace, companies warn that without swift solutions, the labor shortage will only worsen.
