Evolution Georgia Considers Suspending Operations Amid Labor Dispute
Evolution Georgia, currently embroiled in a labor dispute with its employees, has indicated the possibility of suspending its operations in the country. The company announced today that ongoing employee strikes and blockades at their office entrances have brought its operations to a halt.
The company warned that it might reconsider its continuation in Georgia if the situation worsens, potentially leading to significant job losses for thousands of employees.
"Over the past few weeks, Evolution has managed to maintain operations despite the ongoing strike. However, as of Thursday, August 1, the union has blocked the entrances to our facilities, preventing thousands from working," the company stated.
This disruption has significantly impacted Evolution Georgia's ability to function effectively. "If the situation persists, we may be compelled to make operational changes, including potential termination of employment contracts, to reduce our presence in Georgia," the company explained.
Evolution has been investing in the Georgian market for six years, primarily offering entry-level positions to inexperienced youths. "Unfortunately, the current situation has escalated, adversely affecting both the company and our dedicated employees who wish to continue their work," the statement added. This announcement was shared on the official Facebook page and received a predominantly 'haha' reaction from users.
Evolution Gaming, a Swedish firm providing outsourced gambling services, has faced this labor dispute for two months now, with employees demanding better working conditions and higher wages. The company employs about 7,000 people in Georgia.
According to the 2023 financial report, Evolution Georgia, the Georgian subsidiary, has the largest share of the group's employees, numbering 6,823. Last year, the group's total revenue amounted to 1.8 billion euros, with a net profit surpassing 1 billion euros. The subsidiary spent 133.7 million GEL on salaries, averaging 1,633 GEL per month per employee, or 1,306 GEL after income tax.
Evolution provides online casino services to gambling websites, offering technical and human resource support for live casino operations. The company operates studios worldwide, delivering multilingual services to various online casinos, positioning itself in the gambling industry without being a casino operator itself.
The breakdown of Evolution’s workforce by country is as follows:
- Georgia: 6,823 employees
- Latvia: 3,151 employees
- USA: 2,662 employees
- Malta: 1,391 employees
- Romania: 850 employees
- Canada: 591 employees
- Spain: 578 employees
- Armenia: 442 employees
- Bulgaria: 211 employees
- Sweden: 173 employees
- Poland: 119 employees
- Taiwan: 63 employees