Qaraganda Social Services Center: Prosecutors Urge Labor Ministry to Intervene

Prosecutors have uncovered serious violations at the special social services center in the Qaraganda region and have formally called on the Ministry of Labor to take corrective action, Orda.kz reports.

According to the prosecutor's office, the center mismanaged the pensions and benefits of its residents and purchased food and essential items at prices up to twice the market rate.

Seventy percent of funds are spent through public procurement. The remaining 30% is used based on the decision of a special commission. But real market prices are not considered, which opens the door to significant overpayments, the agency stated. 

The Prosecutor’s Office has submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, urging changes to the regulations that govern how such centers are allowed to spend residents’ pension and social payments.

For now, the Ministry is still reviewing the proposed amendments, and the changes are in the approval process.

This isn’t the first controversy surrounding the Qaraganda center. In July 2023, a mass poisoning incident occurred there — 15 children were hospitalized and two died. The cause of the poisoning remains undetermined.

Original Author: Artem Volkov