Amanzhol Aitughanov, a prosecutor in Kazakhstan’s western region of Manghystau, said on December 20 a probe was launched against more than 500 oil workers in the town of Zhetybai, who have been on strike for 10 days. A local court ruled earlier that the strike is illegal, and Aitughanov said the workers may be charged now with holding an illegal strike. The workers of the West Oil Software company are demanding the integration of their salary-payment system into that of the national KazMunaiGas energy corporation, which would ensure a pay rise, as well as the renewal of their technical equipment. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Prosecutors Launch Probe Against Striking Oil Workers
Hundreds of workers of the West Oil Software company protest to demand better labor conditionsat the Zhetibay oilfield in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region on December 15.