Almaty Officials Deny Claims of Forced Resignations at Baganashyl Orphanage

Teachers at the Baganashyl orphanage in Almaty have claimed they are being pressured to submit voluntary resignation letters, Orda.kz reports.

The Almaty Akimat, however, denies that any dismissals are taking place.

Earlier, staff recorded a video appeal to lawyer Anna Chernova, alleging that management was trying to remove employees who had defended the orphans during a recent dispute over a planned eviction.

In response, the Almaty Akimat stated that a meeting was held with orphanage staff, attended by city maslikhat deputies, public council members, and officials from the Ministry of Education’s Committee for the Protection of Children's Rights, along with education departments from both Almaty city and region.

Employees (teachers) of the center were informed that they would be transferred to the organization of the Almaty City Education Department from the Almaty region with observance of labor rights and re-registration of contracts in accordance with current legislation and taking into account personal written consent. Information about the dismissal of employees of the orphanage is not true,
 the Akimat said.

Officials also clarified that the children will remain at the current facility and continue their studies in Almaty.

The situation, they added, is under constant supervision.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko