Partial Wage Debt Paid to Uzbek Migrants in Russia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In the Russian Federation, a situation involving unpaid wages to citizens of Uzbekistan working for an employer has been partially resolved.

According to available information, more than 100 migrant workers had not received salaries for four months and were not provided with food. The total debt amounted to around 24 million rubles, equivalent to approximately US$324,000. Some workers were also in an irregular legal status.

The workers appealed to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, after which legal and diplomatic mechanisms were activated to protect their interests.

As part of the response measures, lawyers were engaged by the Agency’s representative office in Russia, while the Consulate General of Uzbekistan sent an official note to the relevant authorities. Diplomatic channels were also used to address the issue.

According to competent authorities, a criminal case has been initiated against the employer under Article 145.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which concerns non-payment of wages.

As a result of these measures, 105 Uzbek citizens received 9,403,000 rubles (about US$127,000). The remaining debt of 23,966,000 rubles (about US$323,000) is expected to be repaid by 15 May.

It is also reported that food provision for workers has been restored. Citizens who were in an irregular status were returned to Uzbekistan with assistance from migration authorities and are receiving material support.

The resolution of the situation was achieved through cooperation between Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions in Russia and Russian law enforcement agencies.