The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan investigated complaints from five Uzbek citizens who worked at the “Karima” restaurant in Astana. A video circulated on social media showed the workers alleging that their passports were confiscated and salaries were unpaid for three months, sparking widespread public concern.

One of the complainants, a 43-year-old woman from Namangan, stated that she came for short-term work but was unable to leave the job site, as the employer withheld her documents and prevented her departure. Other workers corroborated similar issues, including instances where they were temporarily hidden during inspections.

The Uzbek embassy quickly contacted the restaurant’s management, demanding the return of documents and full payment of salary arrears. Kazakh authorities also intervened, taking measures against the employer to address the situation.

As a result, on March 14, all passports were returned to their owners, and the salary debt, totaling $5.3 thousand, was paid. This incident has reignited discussions about the protection of migrant workers’ rights in Central Asia.

Source: podrobno.uz