In the central Uzbek town of Olmaliq, workers from Uzbekistan and India employed by Enter Engineering, an industrial construction firm, have staged a protest over unpaid wages. The demonstration, held on 21 February, highlighted the growing unrest among employees who claim they have not received their salaries for months. Videos circulating on social media show a significant turnout, underscoring the scale of the discontent.
Enter Engineering, linked to Uzbek oligarch Bakhtiyor Fozilov, has faced criticism for its handling of wage payments, with hundreds of workers alleging salary arrears spanning four months. The situation has drawn attention to the broader issues of labor rights and payment practices within the region's industrial sectors.
Adding to the company's woes, a tragic incident on 20 February at a copper ore enrichment plant under construction by Enter Engineering in Olmaliq resulted in the death of three Indian nationals and injuries to nearly 40 others. The Uzbek Prosecutor-General's Office has launched criminal proceedings based on violations of labor protection regulations, signaling serious concerns over workplace safety and management practices at the site.
