The FINANCIAL — Wissol, one of the leading oil importer companies in Georgia, is the first company to have hired a former prisoner for probation work. The project was initiated by the NGO Way of Life and the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia.
“Wissol was glad to accept our recommendation to hire this former prisoner,” Shukri Burchuladze, Founder of the Way of Life, told The FINANCIAL. “We have also been negotiating with other companies but many of them refused.”
“More companies should follow Wissol’s example,” Burchuladze said.
The fund Way of Life was established about 5 months ago. The Fund is helping former prisoners to become reintegrated in society.
David Tsiklauri, 25, is a former prisoner under a period of probation. He is married and has a young son. Tsiklauri was recently trained by Wissol group and the company has said that he is now ready to start working at one of their petrol stations. In addition the company offered him a health insurance package.
`When I was in prison I was thinking how I would support my family when I am out. It is hard to find a job even for those who have no criminal background and I would never imagine that any company would have a desire to hire me. I already attended trainings at Wissol training centre and acquired necessary skills to serve company customers. Quality customer service is the top priority for the company. So being employed at Wissol is not only a job for me, but it is hope for future.” David Tsiklauri said.
Burchuladze says that employees of Wissol have the chance to get promoted. “I know individuals who started their careers as operators and eventually held top positions,” he said.
According to Rusudan Sanikidze, Head of Wissol HR Department the company will continue to hire former prisoners under probation at work.
`Wissol is ready to employ former prisoners under probation and support their social integration. As a rule companies refrain to hire them but we want to destroy the stereotype in cooperation with Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia.” Rusudan sanikidze said.
Wissol, one of the largest commercial groups in Georgia, is one of the leading players in the energy sector. Since 2007 the Group has been represented in the market by its sub-brands: Wissol Petroleum Georgia, Wissol Gas, Air Wissol, Wissol Bunkering and Wissol Gas Distribution Company. Wissol is the first and only oil company in Georgia to have received an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Certificate, having held this since 2006.
With about 2,000 employees Wissol is the largest employer in the Georgian oil sector.
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