Investigation by Swedish NCP Concludes on Worker Rights Dispute at Evolution AB, Georgia
In a significant development, a labor dispute between Evolution AB and the Evo-Union trade union at its Tbilisi branch has been ongoing since July 2024. The dispute, centred around allegations of violations of workers' rights, including pay and union rights, has garnered attention due to its potential breach of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The dispute erupted when employees went on strike, citing low wages, unsafe and unhygienic working conditions, and poor treatment by supervisors. The Social Justice Center in Tbilisi, a local advocacy group, took up the matter and filed a formal complaint with Sweden's National Contact Point (NCP) for Responsible Business Conduct on behalf of the Evo-Union trade union.
The complaint raised concerns about Evolution AB's failure to pay fair wages, maintain safe workplaces, and respect the workers' rights to unionize and collectively bargain. Despite Evolution AB's claims that its pay packages compete well and go beyond local norms, the NCP has heard reports from workers and Georgian officials about job safety, union suppression, and rights violations at the Tbilisi branch.
Evolution AB initially declined to participate in talks offered by the NCP, expressing skepticism about their usefulness. As a result, the Swedish NCP proceeded with an independent review and issued a final statement on the matter on August 8, 2025, highlighting concerns about labor rights violations at Evolution's Tbilisi studio.
The NCP urged Evolution AB to reconsider its stance and to talk again with union leaders, emphasizing the importance of adhering to global labor rules. The NCP also spoke out against any violence from either group at Evolution AB's Tbilisi branch, following reports about fights between striking workers and hired guards at the studio.
The NCP has also expressed its readiness to help if both sides want to have real talks going forward regarding the dispute with Evolution AB's Tbilisi branch. In a positive move, the NCP will check again on the case in a year to see what changes, if any, have been made at the studio.
In light of the ongoing dispute, it is crucial for Evolution AB to address the concerns raised by its employees and the NCP to maintain its reputation as a responsible global employer. The company has emphasized that it offers a new and well-kept workplace, including good air quality, planned rest periods, and areas for fun activities. However, the NCP's report suggests that more needs to be done to ensure fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect for union rights.
[1] Source: Swedish National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (August 8, 2025) - Final statement on the labor dispute at Evolution AB's Tbilisi branch.
- The labor dispute at Evolution AB's Tbilisi branch, initially a workplace-wellness issue, has now escalated to the realm of crime-and-justice, with reports of fights between striking workers and hired guards.
- The ongoing dispute between Evolution AB and the Evo-Union trade union has made general-news headlines, as the dispute's potential breach of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises has raised concerns about Evolution AB's commitment to health-and-wellness and science-based labor practices.
