Georgia bans foreigners from being employed as drivers, couriers, tour guides - govt resolution

TBILISI. Feb 24 (Interfax) - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has signed a government resolution under which immigrants cannot be employed in the passenger transportation sector, as couriers and tour guides.

Commenting on the resolution to journalists, Kobakhidze said it was dictated by need to protect the interests of Georgian citizens.

"We must protect the labor interests of our citizens, as happens in any other country. We have identified areas where employing foreigners is permitted and where it is not reasonable. This is important to avoid excessive competition for employment with our citizens," Kobakhidze said.

Speaking at the parliament last week, Kobakhidze said there were over 250,000 immigrants in Georgia, some of whom were employed, and warned that the government had to take control of all migration-related processes.