NUR-SULTAN -- Oil workers from Kazakhstan's restive southwestern town of Zhanaozen have descended upon the capital, Nur-Sultan, to demand salary increases and improved work conditions.
Members of a group of around two dozen workers from the Kezbi oil company, a subsidiary of the OzenMunaiGas giant, told RFE/RL on May 12 that they had spent the previous night at the entrance of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection demanding talks with ministry officials.
One of the workers, Berik Zhylkedliev, told RFE/RL that the group arrived 11 days ago and has tried to discuss their demands with officials at the Energy Ministry, the Prosecutor-General's Office, and state energy operator KazMunaiGas, but were unable to do so.
The oil workers say that, if their demands are not met, hundreds more who have been striking in Zhanaozen since April 18 will come to Nur-Sultan with their demands.
As the oil workers were talking to RFE/RL, several police vehicles, as well as dozens of men in civilian clothes monitoring the workers were seen nearby.
Kazakhstan’s chief labor inspector, Tolegen Ospanqulov, told RFE/RL that the oil workers' demands are being considered and they will be invited to KazMunaiGas "very soon."
Kazakh authorities are wary of protests in Zhanaozen, which has been the site of major demonstrations in the Central Asian nation for years.
In early January, protests in the volatile town over sudden hikes in the price of fuel led to nationwide anti-government protests that turned into deadly riots, which claimed at least 238 lives.
In December 2011, police fatally shot at least 16 people when dispersing protesting oil workers in the town.