{"id":197643,"date":"2026-07-28T18:52:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T15:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/197643\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T18:52:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T15:52:24","slug":"lukasenka-downplays-salaries-for-uzbek-laborers","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/197643\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka\u0161enka downplays salaries for Uzbek laborers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 28, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka has addressed the issue of labor migrants from Uzbekistan at today\u2019s meeting with Alaksandar Raho\u017enik, chairman of the Viciebsk Regional Executive Committee, the Belarusian ruler\u2019s press office reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[The Uzbeks] were flown to you [your region] first and foremost. Remember one thing: milk and meat come first. If there\u2019s a labor shortage, [use migrants] by all means. Their wages are a secondary concern,\u201d he told Raho\u017enik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus is interested in exporting agricultural products to Uzbekistan, Luka\u0161enka said, adding that the Uzbek side is also prepared to invest in the country’s agricultural sector. “They’re ready to invest in agriculture. Because how can you do it without investment? Without dairy complexes and tractors, you won’t get meat or milk,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luka\u0161enka added that Belarus is prepared to establish production facilities not only in the Viciebsk region but also in the Mahilo\u016d, Homiel and Hrodna regions, saying the projects would be implemented “in a targeted manner.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raho\u017enik said Belarus would “only benefit” from the arrival of Uzbek workers, adding that prospective workers would undergo screening to ensure they have no legal issues and are law-abiding. The official added that Uzbek workers in Belarus receive the wages initially agreed upon, which he described as “not bad.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, \u0141uka\u0161enka said he had invited migrant workers from Uzbekistan to come to Belarus with their families. He made the statement after talks in Minsk with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move is intended to address severe labor shortages in the country. \u201cWe cannot get by without hiring workers from outside,\u201d the politician argued, defending his decision during trips to economically depressed districts in the Mahilo\u016d and Viciebsk regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 5,000 Uzbek workers are expected to arrive in Belarus\u2019 Viciebsk region to fill jobs in agriculture, construction, industry and the services sector, with some also set to work as nurses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka turned to Uzbekistan after a similar effort to recruit workers from Pakistan failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tens of thousands of Belarusian citizens have left Belarus in recent years as its authorities cracked down on political opponents and sided with Russia in its war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"