Georgia: In order to significantly improve the social guarantees of police officers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed a package of legislative changes, which has already been presented to the Parliament of Georgia.
According to the draft law, changes will be made in the Georgian Law “About Police”, according to which social guarantees increase in case of injury or death in the line of duty.
Compensation doubles in case of the death of a policeman during duty; instead of 15,000 GEL, the family of the deceased policeman will be given 30,000 GEL at once. Also, funeral costs instead of existing – 5 00 GEL, are determined by the amount of 2 000 GEL.
According to the changes, the amount of one-time cash assistance also increases in case of health damage. In case of serious injuries, a policeman will receive 20,000 GEL instead of 7,000 GEL, in case of less serious injuries 15 000 GEL instead of 4,000 GEL, and in case of minor injuries, 10,000 GEL instead of 2,000 GEL.
Also, according to the changes, the Georgian Law on Police will add a vacation due to health conditions, which did not exist before. For example, an employee may be given paid leave of 1 year, during which the employee’s health care (including rehabilitation), medical care, as needed, transportation, care provision, and other needs are provided.
In the same way, the employee’s cash salary and allowances will be paid. In addition, the extension of the 1-year term will be allowed on the basis of the conclusion of the relevant commission created in the Ministry according to the rules and terms set by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Also, health leave can be granted not only to those injured on duty, but also in cases of various illnesses. In this case, leave will be granted for 4 months, which can be extended based on the medical conclusion according to the rules and conditions set by the Minister.
By the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, social security can be extended to the family members of a person employed in a ministry system, as well as to those who are dismissed/reclaimed from the ministry/ministry system for unemployment. And, medical expenses financing and material assistance issues will be written in detail by the minister’s order. Similar changes are included in the Georgian Law on “Civil Security” to enable firefighters to benefit from the same guarantees.