Clients of two private Almaty companies offering employment abroad are considering taking them to court.

Out in the Woods

The story of our first interviewee started quite ordinarily. A resident of Almaty had plans since the beginning of the year to work in the UK, picking berries and fruits. Considering numerous reviews, our compatriots seem to earn quite good money there. To realize his long-time idea, the man decided to use the services of an intermediary company. He paid the firm 750,000 tenge, hoping to make over a million abroad. However, his plans changed, and now the individual is struggling to get his money back, even though he had signed a special contract with the company regarding a refund.

When he asked the company to honor their part of the contract, they either did not respond or kept giving him empty promises.

The company, which the Kazakhstani man complained about, responded to journalists. According to its representatives, Kazakh citizens often go abroad to earn money, but there are delays from foreign partners: people are not hired on time, and if the workers themselves refuse the job at the last moment, the company, of course, returns all the money in full. However, this is not always done promptly.

There’s some truth to this, as clients of another company also encountered a similar situation. They planned to work in the Czech Republic and Poland but couldn’t leave Kazakhstan, believing that the company had provided them with counterfeit employment documents. Allegedly, because of these fake documents, they were denied visas. The company, in turn, denies this claim, insisting that everything was official.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan responded to this incident. They stated that Kazakhstani citizens are free to travel, so the ministry does not monitor the labor migration of its citizens. However, when abroad, Kazakhstani citizens are expected to register themselves at the nearest consular office of Kazakhstan.

However, the ministry’s response didn’t expedite the return of the funds. Outraged Kazakhstani citizens are now planning to defend their rights in court.

Deceived into Slavery

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan notes that Kazakh citizens are deceived not only before going abroad but also when they are already in a foreign country.

In recent years, Norway has become a popular destination for Kazakhs. However, upon arriving, many soon become «illegals.» The rules for obtaining seasonal work permits in Norway are strict. It is forbidden to fly to Norway with a Schengen visa obtained through the embassies of other EU countries in Kazakhstan and then apply for a seasonal work permit in Norway. Such permits and visas are only issued by the Norwegian embassy in Moscow. By contract, it’s allowed to work in Norway for only six months, and one must leave the country when this period expires.

This highlights the importance of understanding the rules and laws of the destination country in advance. Often, Kazakhs trust intermediary companies promising to «take care of everything.» These companies, in turn, provide no guarantees and deceive them, luring them abroad. Once there, clients can no longer contact the company or seek any support from them. Unfamiliar with the law, these Kazakhs remain in a foreign country illegally. Such situations are not only found in Norway but also in South Korea, Czech Republic, and England.

Companies they trusted would often reassure them that «everything will be fine» and that their documents are being processed, but months go by with no progress.

But this isn’t the worst-case scenario. At best, Kazakhs face deportation from the country and a ban on re-entry for an indefinite period. In the worst cases, they face actual slavery.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan reports that in 2021, 103 criminal cases were initiated related to human trafficking. A channel was also uncovered that involved the trafficking of Kazakh citizens to Bahrain for sexual exploitation.

The ministry clarified that primarily girls between 16 and 25 years old from socially disadvantaged segments of the population in the southern regions of Kazakhstan were targeted. They were lured with the promise of high-paying jobs overseas. Subsequently, the traffickers handled the paperwork for passports and organized legal border crossings.

«Each girl who was recruited and transported to Bahrain was sold by the criminals for amounts between $5,000 to $15,000,» stated the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Once in Manama, these girls had their passports confiscated, were detained, and forced into prostitution for long durations. In instances of non-compliance, they were subjected to physical abuse, monetary penalties reaching up to 500,000 tenge, and threats of being sold to other pimps or being reported to the police, considering that this line of work is illegal in Bahrain.

How to Protect Yourself?

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, fraudulent companies often request an upfront payment, promising a «vacancy» only verbally afterward. After such promises, these firms usually drag their feet with the intent of extracting even more money from you. This is where one should become wary. Legitimate companies never ask for upfront payments.

In addition, fraudsters often do not deliver on the conditions they initially promised. For instance, an employer might promise a housekeeping job with duties limited to room cleaning. In reality, a Kazakhstani worker might also be required to wash dishes throughout the night. When concerns are raised, the employer might resort to threats, pointing to the signed contract. As a result, the individual might end up not only without money but also without shelter.

«To avoid falling into actual bondage and living in a damp shack instead of a comfortable hostel room, carefully read the employment terms (they should always be translated into your language). Also, verify if the job offered to you is legal or not,» advised the MIA.