Trade Union of Self-Employed and Individual Entrepreneurs of Georgia This presentation reflects content of the leaflets disseminated to the street-vendors, marketplace traders, owners of small workshops and other self-employed workers

Trade Union of Self-Employed and Individual Entrepreneurs of Georgia Introduction Problems faced How to address the problems We offer

Introduction Trade Union of Self-Employed and individual entrepreneurs was founded by the self-employed persons working at Tbilisi and Rustavi marketplaces in December We unite more than 750 members; There is a great potential for our unified family to grow fast to several thousands as more than Georgian citizens unofficially hold the status of self- employed, just like you and we do.

Problems you face You are unfairly fined by the Tax Inspectorate and other Financial Services You are imposed on inadequate trade rules that are too complicated to meet/observe (especially on selling a second hand product, dealing with scrap metal and so on); You are Unlawfully forced to use cash machine; You are under the constant threat of losing working space/area, market shelter or workshop may be taken away or get demolished at any moment;

Problems you face No one records/registers or takes note of the number of years you work to secure adequate and decent pension; You are called a Self-employed but don’t have legal social status; Vacation/leave is just a dream for you; Pregnant self-employed women are denied the right to paid maternity leave provided by the state fund

How to address the problems By advocating and representing your interests in the/at the executive and legislative bodies; Making the central, regional and local governments to acknowledge and respect self-employed workers merits and rights; Making the local communities to understand your concerns, your merits

How to address the problems Making an owner of a marketplace to recognize you as a partner and address your concerns by: o signing a decent contract with you, providing you with more protection ; o Have an owner to redress any delays (when electricity, gas supply is cut-off, when fire or any type of emergency takes place) ; o Have an owner to charge you less amount for rent when you have to be away for family reasons;

How to address the problems Get informed years before the municipal authority/council decides to remove the marketplace, in order to react/adjust your activities immediately In case of removal of the market place/workshops have the authorities responsible to provide with alternative options (territory, space, etc)

We Offer In case of becoming our union member : o we will negotiate exclusive private insurance (health, pension etc) terms for you; o You will get suitable bank credits; o trainings on how to start and develop your business, get new skills; o free advice on legal and financial/book keeping issues; o You will be regularly updated on changes/amendments to the legislation affecting your working activities

Thanks for listening