Evolution formally raised concerns with the Responsible Business Conduct unit of OECD. The concerns were over Sweden’s National Contact Point’s handling of a labour complaint linked to a 2024 strike in Georgia.
According to the company, the aim is to improve a system that could support workplace democracy. It does not seek to escalate the dispute. Instead, it wants to give constructive feedback on what it sees as an unbalanced process.
Recently, Sweden’s NCP issues its final statement about a complaint filed in August of the past year by the Tbilisi-based SJC or Social Justice Centre, acting on behalf of Evo-Union. It is a local union representing workers at live casino studio of Evolution in the Georgian capital.
The complaint came after a July 2024 strike. It accused Evolution of low wages, poor working conditions, and attempts to stop unionization.
Evolution has strongly rejected the conclusions of NCP, which included recommendations to re-engage in dialogue with the union.
NEXT.io CEO Martin Carlesund said the complaint sparked global headlines about human rights violations. He added that it has damaged their reputation for nearly a year.
He added that although they proved every accusation false, they still face recommendations from the NCP. In his view, the complaint should have been dropped and they should have been cleared.
Carlesund argued that Evolution had fully cooperated with the OECD process by submitting detailed information on workplace conditions, compensation, and employee benefits. He insisted the company had disproved every allegation in the complaint.
In a statement, Carlesund wrote that their counterpart in the long-overplayed conflict has aggressively tried to smear their reputation. He said they have harmed both working and striking employees, broken local laws and international codes, and defamed Evolution globally with the help of unions around the world.
