DOI: 10.52340/ekonomisti.2026.01.02

Expanded summary

In the context of ongoing globalization and European integration, special attention is being paid worldwide to the realization of the concept of improving "decent work and quality of life." This issue is particularly relevant for Georgia, where overcoming poverty and mass, chronic unemployment remains a serious challenge. Although in the country has made some positive changes in terms of economic development in recent years, the above problems have not been overcome. In the context of the digital transformation of the economy, the introduction of decent labor standards and the formation of a flexible labor market are of particular importance for these purposes. This one ensures the optimal realization of the interests of the subjects of social and labor relations and their integration into this completely new digital space.

Analysis of the research shows that under the conditions of ongoing European integration and digital transformation of the economy, the structure of the labor market and content of social and labor relations are radically changing. So, in the process of introducing decent work standards and realizing the concept of decent work, it is first to take into account the peculiarities of the functioning of the labor market and the main problems and challenges that currently exist in the country. Among them, important are:

1. Due to the inadequate pace of economic development, the demand for labor is not increasing, and therefore employment opportunities and prospects are limited. Its impossible to made large-scale investments in creating new jobs. The main source of employment in the Georgian labor market is still the business sector;
2. Despite the significant reforms implemented in the country, the level and quality of the vocational education system is still low. The training of higher education specialists is proceeding chaotically, because of it is not fully oriented towards the modern demands of the labor market. There is no adequate system for training and retraining competitive personnel. The level of occupational mobility of the workforce is low;
3. In the process of digital transformation of the economy is changing the nature of work, content, which is related to both new opportunities for realizing accumulated potential, as well as expected risks. Because the process of uniqueization, universalization, and intellectualization of labor is becoming modern;
4. It is particularly significant for the Georgian labor market that today the country maintains a high level and scale of unemployment (especially among women and youth), which is chronic, and there is not still mechanism for social insurance for the unemployed. So that, the problem of "poor" and ineffective employment is emerging, which is caused by: Low level of workplace organization and inadequate working conditions; low level of labor productivity in sectors of the national economy; low level and quality of labor protection and safety, career advancement and professional development, labor remuneration and incentives; undevelopment of the social protection and security system, as well as the social partnership system in the country. Significant problems in the field of labor protection and safety. Is not developed labor market infrastructure, information system, etc.
5. An important feature and challenge of the Georgian labor market is growing employment of the population in the informal sector of the economy. Informal employment in Georgia has reached quite large proportions. In fact, the informal sector has become an independent segment of the labor market, which has a significant impact on the nature of employment of the population, its scale, the quality of working life, the standard of living, and the socio-economic situation of the country;

       In Georgia, current period of economic reform, in order to form the labor market and its further development, it is necessary to properly implement the requirements of international conventions recognized by Georgia as mandatory in the field of labor and employment, refinement of labor legislation and approximation to international standards, finally establishing the principle of social justice in the field of labor relations, implementation of international labor safety standards to improve working conditions for employees, ensuring effective employment and implementing its basic principles. To implement successfuly these strategic objectives should be facilitated by the formation of a social partnership system and accordingly, to become strong social partnership institution. In this regard, it will be important to fulfill the obligations set forth in the Association Agreement with the European Union.