Georgians sold at Turkish markets and a friend released from enslavement

Georgian immigration transformed into a hard and fatiguing marathon of the country and the immigrants too. Enslaved Georgians exhausted physically and mentally. More than the half of Georgia population has migrated out of the country and the rest is dreaming of getting out of it. Consequently the Georgians could not escape the modern form of enslavement – the trafficking.
Here, we would like to introduce the story told by Ms. Tamar Sanikidze, Coordinator of social aid to the victims of trafficking.
In 90s of the last century situation in Georgia became very complicated. The civil war outcomes and increased unemployment was hardly assumable by people.  Return of a “white fox” to the country was not well received by people; however they still hoped that the experienced politician would do something positive. Nevertheless the factories, organizations and institutions closed down day by day and the rural settlements suffered from poverty. The families were pauperized. David’s family was one of them. The young, healthy man could not foresee any positive perspectives in front of himself or the country. He was occupied by the complex of inferiority, thinking he was weak and feeble. Later on, when talking with his psychologist, he mentioned that “the war between brothers shot the country and killed the idea of free spirit”.
“Rose Revolution” entailed even more spite. Immoral government pressed the people stronger. Nobody cared about educational background, knowledge, mutual respect, freedom, national values and the personal dignity. David and thousands like him had been finally doomed to hunger.
One day, demoralized David met his old friend Nugzar. Nugzar looked fine and drove a new car. He invited David to a restaurant and talked a lot at a table. He worked in Istanbul, Turkey and seemed to be satisfied by his job and wage. He advised David to go to Turkey and seek job there, gave him his contact details and glided down “something” into David’s pocket while seeing him off home. David found 500 US dollars in his pocket at home. It was like the Lord’s gift for his family; however he decided to use the money for travel to Istanbul. Nugzar met him there and tried his best to find a job for David somewhere nearby. However all his efforts were unsuccessful and David had to continue his way to the city of Katigo. Nugzar promised he would not stop searching the suitable job for him and ad soon as there is a positive result he would help David to move back to Istanbul. David found a job in Katigo furniture factory very soon. He was promised 350 US dollars as a monthly wage. The first four days passed in normal conditions, but then the Turkish employer took David’s passport. The cascade of problems started that day: David was denied to go out and use the telephone. He could only walk around inside the factory’s area. He was forced to work from 7 a.m. till midnight. He could not take a seat or smoke a cigarette during the day. He was fed very badly, just a cup of tea at the breakfast and some eggs or soup at dinner. He lived in 10 m² room together with 3 other foreigners, without any hygienic conditions. The employer frequently delayed salary reimbursement and treated the workers very cynically.
David understood he was trapped by traffickers. Employer and controllers irritated him. One day he failed to control himself, he refused to obey the supervisor, threw the tool against the wall and started screaming and crying loudly. The supervisor went away, but the security guys of the factory took him to the owner. David was abused physically and morally and taken unconsciously to his bed. He was bleeding but nobody dared to touch him. The failure and feebleness overpowered his mental state.
Nugzar was very anxious about David as he could not contact him. Fortunately, the Muslim holydays started and Nugzar took that advantage to go to Katigor and visit his friend. Due to the holyday, the furniture factory was guarded only by two security guys. Nugzar managed to bribe them and entered the territory. He was horrified seeing David in dirty clothes, hungry, beaten and almost killed, who begged not to leave there. Nugzar carried friend in his arms like a baby and started to the gates. The guard tried to stop him pointing the guns toward them but Nugzar took all the money from the pockets, his golden neck-chain, new mobile phone and a wrist-watch. He redeemed David from Turks like Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani in the 16th century redeemed two Georgian children at Istanbul slave market.
Nugzar took care of David in Istanbul, showed him to doctor, bought medicines and clothes, allowed him to regain the energy and drove him back to Georgia on his car. He made a plea with the law enforcement agency without hesitation.
David spent two months in the rehabilitation center. His health condition improved and he calmed down.
I believe this tragic story should be pondered on – why have we become the victims of such situations? Who sentenced us to such punishment? Will Georgians ever have a peaceful life in their home country?