With the Assistance of ISFED, Another Citizen Won a Labor Dispute in Court
On November 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of Georgia found the cassation appeal of the non-entrepreneurial legal entity "Rustavi City Center for Arts, Sports and Youth Development" inadmissible and upheld the Rustavi City Court's April 6, 2023, decision. This decision declared Elene Gakharia's dismissal order null and void and required the respondent to pay her forced idle time compensation. Elena Gakharia will receive two years of idle time compensation.
Elene Gakharia had been employed since February 8, 2019, at the non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity "Rustavi City Center for Arts, Sports and Youth Development" in the position of advisor to the director. Her responsibilities included organizing the smooth operation of the center's activities, coordinating with the director, planning and organizing meetings, business trips, and work visits for the director and employees, preparing and signing written documents, and monitoring employees. In 2021, she was named the best employee.
On November 29, 2022, Elene Gakharia was informed that her position was being eliminated and her employment contract would terminate on January 1, 2023. Staff reduction was cited as the reason for dismissal; however, Elene Gakharia was perceived as a supporter of an opposition party, which may have been the real reason for her dismissal. Elene Gakharia appealed the dismissal order in court.
Rustavi City Court ruled that Gakharia had been employed for more than 30 months, making her employment relationship indefinite. The dismissal decision was not properly substantiated. Considering these factors, the court agreed with Elene Gakharia and declared the dismissal order null and void.
The respondent party was obligated to compensate for forced idle time from January 1, 2023, until the enforcement of the decision. Moreover, since the position was eliminated and reinstatement to work is not possible, the respondent was additionally obligated to pay compensation instead of reinstatement.
After her dismissal from employment, Elene Gakharia was appointed as advisor on gender issues to Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili.
ISFED's lawyer, Teona Kiladze, has been defending Elene Gakharia's interests in court.
If you believe you were dismissed from employment on political grounds, please contact us at: info@isfed.ge
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