Turkmenistan offers state office workers street-sweeping work as alternative to complete dismissal

Turkmenistan offers state office workers street-sweeping work as alternative to complete dismissal

At least Independence Square in Ashgabat will be looking nattier than ever. / Mil.ru.

By bne IntelliNews February 27, 2019

Turkmenistan is offering public sector office employees street-sweeping work as an alternative to complete dismissal as part of an ongoing downsizing of its government. Among those asked to consider the humble occupation are state accountants, economists and engineering staff.

Reports throughout last year indicated that stretched government finances had prompted public sector agencies and organisations in the remote, tightly controlled Central Asian nation to cut their workforces and send remaining employees on unpaid leave. In mid-February, hundreds of street cleaners and office staff were made redundant as a result of the transfer of the Asgabatgurlusyg construction association from under the control of one state entity to another.

While the street cleaners have received the short end of the stick, it appears that the government is attempting to keep office staff employed by making them do the street cleaning instead.

Forcing employees to take leave without pay has become so rampant in the crisis-ridden Turkmen capital Ashgabat that some observers note that it amounts to unemployment.

Many Turkmen budgetary issues have emerged from the country’s economic crisis stemming from low oil prices and partly also from a failure to develop gas export routes anything like fast enough. The budget revenues of the hydrocarbon-dependent country are being consumed at an unrealistic rate, it appears.

#Turkmenistan

Read in IntelliNews Pro

Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

World Bank must wake up to Rogun mega dam “nightmare” in Tajikistan, say activists ahead of financing vote

The World Bank has to realise that the Rogun mega project “dream of the biggest dam [in the world] will turn into a nightmare for the people and nature in Tajikistan and beyond” and that it ... more

“Men in white coats” grab veteran Turkmen rights defender set to journey to Geneva for awards ceremony

Four men in white laboratory coats showed up at the Ashgabat apartment of veteran human rights defender and photojournalist Soltan Achilova, ... more

Central Asian unified electricity trade platform will boost renewables, says Uzbek energy official

Central Asia is working to achieve a unified electricity trade platform to improve regional trade and meet the growing demand for renewable energy, according to Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister for ... more

Dismiss

Chat with usLiveChat