Taraz Utility Workers Strike Over Low Wages and Unpaid Contributions

Workers from the Taraz municipal utility company Jasyl El-Taraz went on strike on October 20, demanding higher wages, regular social payments, and the reinstatement of a dismissed colleague, Orda.kz reports.

According to a video released by the Taraz Akimat, about 40 employees joined the protest. Their main concerns were low wages, irregular payments to the compulsory health insurance (CHI) and pension funds, and the dismissal of their section head.

City Response

Deputy Akim Nursultan Isabekov acknowledged the workers’ concerns and said wage increases are planned for next year.

Regarding the wage increase, the company has a debt that must be repaid by the end of the year. Once we pay off the debt, we'll begin operating in a new format starting in 2026. While public workers currently receive 80,000 tenge, they'll receive 150,000 tenge next year. We're making every effort to ensure this. We've already agreed on this with the regional akim.

Isabekov also confirmed that social payments are mandatory:

Background

In July 2025, the Jambyl Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that Jasyl El-Taraz had failed to transfer 24 million tenge in pension contributions for 605 employees.

The third issue raised by workers concerned the dismissal of Aray Arystanova, head of the “Road Maintenance” section. They insist she was fired unfairly.

The Akimat said otherwise:

Arystanova committed violations of the law while performing her official duties. In this regard, the institution's management has submitted a request to law enforcement agencies to conduct an investigation and take appropriate action.

Company Situation

According to the Taraz Akimat, from August 2022 to June 2025, the company underwent a financial rehabilitation process to restore solvency.

In August 2025, Galymzhan Kainazarov was appointed as the new director.

Furthermore, during the internal review, new violations of the law were identified, for which the materials have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies. This was due to the discovery of unjustified cost overstatements in subcontracts concluded in 2025 for certain construction and installation work items. Therefore, payments have been temporarily suspended, and an internal investigation is being conducted jointly with the production and technical department.

The city administration did not specify whether the conflict between the company and employees had been resolved.

This is not the first protest by Jasyl El-Taraz workers — in January 2024, employees also demanded a pay raise from the local administration.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin