Criminal case has been opened against officials of the Labor Migration Agency who are now facing a number of charges, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
According to media reports, executives of the Agency are suspected of taking bribes from thousands of people totaling US$ 20 million from those who are seeking South Korea jobs.
The officials allegedly received at least US$ 5,000 from each person, promised in return to send at least 400 people from each province to Korea Republic.
Earlier, the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations Sherzod Kudbiev said that the Agency’s monopoly does not provide transparency of the workforce selection process, and does not prevent corruption practices and anomalies in the sending process. Kudbiev added that soon private agencies will also be able to send citizens to work in South Korea, Japan and European countries, with the process of registering private agencies in Uzbekistan has already begun.
“During the investigation the director of the Agency, R.I., his deputy, U.N., a department chief, A.A. and the head of the branch O.M. were charged”,said the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The ministry noted that due to the secrecy of the investigation, the disclosure of further information is to be avoided.
There are around 70,000 to 100,000 Uzbekistan citizens residing in South Korea, employed mainly in construction, agriculture and industry jobs. With average wages at US$ 3,000-4,000 for foreign labour South Korea is a “dream” employment destination for millions of Uzbeks.
