Labor disputes escalate as Enter Engineering employees face prolonged salary delays

Employees working at the management office of Enter Engineering complained to Kun.uz that they haven’t been paid for several months.

“As of September, it’s been six months since office employees have received their salaries. No one seems to care, and no one can hold them accountable. Please investigate this issue in hopes that the situation improves,” the complaint stated.

It was also mentioned that the aftermath of the accident at the Boysun mine might cause further delays in salary payments.

On September 1, a technogenic disaster occurred at the Mustaqillikning 25 Yilligi (25 Years of Independence) mine, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere. Eriell and Enter Engineering are contractors for this project. Eriell is the main contractor for the development of the mine, while Enter Engineering is responsible for the construction of the gas processing plant, infrastructure facilities, and the gas collection, preparation, and delivery systems under a turnkey contract.

According to the complaint, Enter Engineering office workers have been working without pay since April, and management has not responded to questions about the reason for the delays, only stating that “there is simply no money.” Many employees are reportedly resigning. Some of those leaving have shared their experiences on social media.

Earlier, Daryo.uz reported that Enter Engineering workers involved in constructing the third copper processing plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) welcomed Uzbekistan’s 33rd Independence Day without pay. Employees said they were given an advance for May 2024, but have been working without a salary since then.

Later, the publication received reports that on September 7-8, Enter Engineering began paying its workers. They received 30% of their May salary balance and 70% of their June salary.

Employees stated that the first payments were made to workers at the AMMC's third copper processing plant, followed by employees in Samarkand and Karakul. However, office employees at the management office and in regional offices have yet to receive their salaries.

In response to an inquiry from Daryo.uz after the initial report, Enter Engineering’s press service confirmed that salaries were gradually being paid but advised not to publicize the issue for the time being.

Delayed salary payments are not new for the company. In April, social media posts surfaced regarding workers at the AMMC's copper enrichment plant protesting due to unpaid wages. Enter Engineering workers told Gazeta.uz that they had not been paid for January, February, and March 2024. The publication received videos showing groups of workers expressing dissatisfaction over delayed payments.

Moreover, affiliated company Eriell also has issues with wage payments. Eriell employees contacted Kun.uz, reporting that they hadn’t been paid for three months. One employee, who resigned in June, confirmed this.

“I resigned in June, and recently I was paid for May. Those still working have not received their salaries for three months,” said the former employee.

According to the Labor Code, wages must be paid at least once every half month.

For reference, Enter Engineering was established in 2012 and was previously controlled by Gazprombank. The company provides services in the design, supply, construction, and commissioning of oil and gas, industrial, and civil infrastructure projects. Eriell, on the other hand, provides drilling services for production and exploration wells for oil and gas companies.

Both companies are registered abroad, and their ultimate beneficiary is said to be Uzbek entrepreneur Bakhtiyor Fazilov. His business activities also include assets controlled by the Enera Group of Companies, as well as a project to expand the largest gas storage facility in the country.