"This is outrageous": The replacement of the heating network in Temirtau has turned into a scandal.

Throughout the summer, workers have been repairing the worn-out heating networks in Temirtau. They claim to have worked both day and night. According to them, there were virtually no serious accidents this winter. However, they still haven't been paid for their work.

"Okjeptes owes me salary since September. But if I don't pay for heating, they immediately threaten to cut me off or take me to court to block my account. This is a state company – how can they not pay us our salaries?" – questions welder Temirbek Oralbaev.

The company employing the builders owes 90 million to the utility company. Throughout the summer, the contractor carried out all the work at their own expense. They were supposed to settle payments with the workers and cover loans from the funds received.

The businessman admits: he did not expect such problems when participating in government procurement. The builders were already planning to seek payment through the courts but learned that their debtor filed for rehabilitation and bankruptcy.

"This is shocking; I consider it arbitrary. After all, government procurement involves a quasi-state company. We cannot file a lawsuit today because the rehabilitation procedure allows them to avoid paying creditors. It gives them the right not to pay loans or taxes. Consequently, it affects us as well," – expressed indignation by the director of the contracting company, Vadim Matveev.

The utility company "Okjeptes-T" owes hundreds of firms that performed repair work. The total debt amounts to one billion tenge. They have decided to rectify their difficult financial situation by raising tariffs. They claim that the rates have not changed in over five years, which allegedly led to such a dire state.

"New tariffs came into effect from the 1st of the month, meaning the profitable part of the company will nearly double. Funds will be allocated for payments as a priority. Therefore, debtors who completed work or supplied materials until today will be the first to receive payments," – stated the advisor to the general director of LLP "Okjeptes-T," Sergey Rabotyagov.

However, the tariff increase will not be sufficient to settle all debts. The company is also hoping for state assistance, which is part of the rehabilitation procedure. Moreover, the heating networks still require repairs, as they are 65% worn out.

The company claims that the tariff only covers network maintenance and minor technical work. As a result, the communications have been transferred to the akimat's balance. They will be repaired using budget funds and returned to private ownership.

Source: KTK

Previously, we reported on the builders of a school in the Almaty region who have been unable to receive their salaries for five months. The contracting organization stated that they are conducting an investigation and will attempt to resolve the issue afterward.

It is noteworthy that in Kazakhstan, employers are required to pay salaries at least once a month, as stipulated in Article 113 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Furthermore, salaries must be credited to the employee's account no later than the 10th of the month following the calculation month.

Earlier, we provided detailed information on how long an employer can delay salary payments and whether they are liable for it.