Chair, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

1. The EU and its Member States are committed to the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights. We promote universal ratification and effective implementation of fundamental ILO Conventions and support the ILO in developing and promoting international labour standards and supervising their application. 

2. Georgia was given a European perspective on 23 June 2022. In December 2023, the European Council granted Georgia candidate status on the understanding that the relevant nine steps set out in the Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 were taken. Since 2016, an association agreement between the EU and Georgia is in force, and together we have been deepening political association and economic integration with the EU, including through a commitment to respect and implement the internationally recognised core labour standards, as embodied in the fundamental ILO conventions. 

3. We express our serious concern with the latest observation by the Committee of Experts regarding the adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence in May 2024. The law creates obligations for all non-commercial legal persons, including trade unions and employers’ organisations, receiving more than 20 % of their income from foreign sources to register as “organisations pursuing the interest of a foreign power”. We underline that this Law has been adopted without proper consultations with the social partners, violating established principles of social dialogue, and without prior consultation on legislation impacting workers’ and employers’ organisations. 

4. We recall the Urgent Opinion of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, which strongly recommended repealing the Law and expressed its deep concern about the fact that the Law was adopted in a rushed way and without a meaningful consultation process. This Commission also considered that the Law sets restrictions to the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and privacy and has serious implications, as it undermines both the financial stability and credibility of the organisations targeted, as well as their operations. 

5. We concur with the Committee of Experts’ consideration that the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence restricts the right of trade unions and employers’ organisations to organise their administration and activities protected by Article 3 of Convention No. 87, by imposing excessive obligations on those deemed as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power”. This includes mandatory registration, excessive administrative and financial control as well as heavy financial penalties for non-compliance. We also underline that the Law raises the risk of arbitrary intervention in the unions’ activities, as it lacks clear limitations on the discretionary power of authorities. 

6. We recall the Committee’s observation that this legislation infringes the principles concerning the right to affiliate with international organisations laid down in Article 5 of Convention No. 87. We concur with the CFA conclusion that international trade union solidarity constitutes one of the fundamental objectives of any trade union movement and underlies the principle that any organisation, federation or confederation shall have the right to affiliate with international organisations of workers and employers. Accepting financial assistance from international workers and employers’ organisations is a legitimate right which stems from this affiliation. 

7. In line with the Committee of Experts’ recommendation, we urge the Government of Georgia to immediately take steps to bring its legislation into conformity with Convention No. 87 in consultation with social partners – and to provide information on progress and on all measures taken in this regard. 

8. We took note of the Government’s written submission on the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. 

9. Recently adopted legislation, represents further aggressive action by the Georgian authorities to suppress dissent, restrict freedoms, and shrink the space for activists, civil society, and independent media. This among others include the Foreign Agents Registration Act and amendments to the Law on Grants, which mark a further restrictive step from the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, among others by introducing criminal liability. These laws unduly restrict fundamental freedoms, human rights and erode democratic decision-making. 

10. In its conclusions from June, October and December 2024, the European Council found that the authorities’ course of action jeopardizes Georgia’s EU path. We note that the accession process is currently de facto halted and shall remain so, as long as the authorities fail to take credible steps to reverse democratic backsliding. 

11. We reiterate our support to the Georgian people’s European aspirations. The EU and its Member States stand ready to support Georgia with the aim to address the issues raised and in meeting its obligations under the ratified Conventions.

Thank you Chair!