On August 14, 2002, employees of “Gumathesi” and “Tkibulhesi” began an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy, demanding five months of unpaid wages. According to “Media-News,” the ministry’s press office reported that deputy ministers had already met with about 15 protesters and promised to pay one month’s salary. Despite this, the energy workers refused to end their hunger strike.

Minister of Fuel and Energy Davit Mirtskhulava told journalists that the demonstrators would only receive one month’s wages, as “the country has no more resources.” He described the protest as unjustified, since out of 35 months of salaries, the employees had already been paid for 30.