25 January 2012, 22:00
Georgian pilots-veterans stage protest in front of President's residence
Today, ten former pilots have held a protest action outside the Georgian President's residence in Avlabari.
"This action is very dangerous for people of that age. I asked them not to resort to this form of protest, but they believe that they have no other choice. They demand to defend their right to life," said Lasha Chkhartishvili, the leader of the Conservative Party of Georgia.
According to his story, the pilots-veterans, the members of the Association of Pilots, have two claims to President Mikhail Saakashvili: to adopt a law on pilots' pensions and pay out the compensation that have accumulated over the years, although there is a ruling of the Supreme Court to this end, the "Georgia-Online" reports.
"Today, pilots-veterans receive only 100 laris per month (1 lari = 0.6 US dollars, - note of the "Caucasian Knot"); they have no other benefits; and 100 laris, of course, are insufficient for any pensioner. Moreover, the profession of a pilot is a health-dangerous profession; and therefore all the countries pay special attention to pilots," said Chkhartishvili and added that the veterans have not defined the final date of their protest, which is held in the form of a hunger strike.
Apart from Lasha Chkhartishvili, the MP Dmitry Lortkipanidze has expressed his support for pilots-veterans, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.
