Over sixty criminal cases filed as billions stolen from wage funds in Uzbekistan

More than 5.2 billion UZS intended for citizens' salaries and benefits were embezzled between January and September 2024, according to a report by the Prosecutor General's Office. The figure was disclosed during a press briefing on October 18 by Hayot Shamsutdinov, spokesperson for the Prosecutor General.

A total of 63 criminal cases have been initiated in connection with the misappropriation of these funds, underscoring the scale of the issue.

Additionally, 1,198 individuals have faced disciplinary, administrative, and financial penalties for violating employment laws. As part of broader efforts to address labor law violations, 61 criminal cases were launched, and the rights of 8,573 individuals were restored.

In a separate development, 2.4 billion UZS in delayed wages were recovered, benefiting 366 workers who had been denied their rightful pay.

The authorities continue to intensify their efforts to crack down on corruption and protect workers' rights, with ongoing investigations and further legal actions expected.