Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — ZUMK-Engineering, a Russian company that served as the general contractor for the construction of the Dehkanabad Potash plant in Kashkadarya region, owes a significant sum to Uzbek workers despite the timely fulfillment of financial obligations by the Uzbek side. This was stated by Uzkimyosanoat JSC.

The investment project for the construction of a mining and beneficiation complex and other facilities at the Dehkanabad Potash plant was undertaken by ZUMK-Engineering (Russian Federation), which had signed a contract to perform construction and installation works.

According to Uzkimyosanoat JSC, the contract with ZUMK-Engineering stipulated the completion of the mining and beneficiation complex and the commissioning of the facility by December 2014.

However, the Russian company faced serious financial problems, failed to complete the construction, and accumulated substantial wage arrears to its workers.

In 2018, the Arbitration Court of Russia declared the company bankrupt, making it even more difficult to settle debts with 279 workers from Uzbekistan, as noted by Uzkimyosanoat.

Currently, the unpaid wages amount to 2.9 billion soums, and the case is still under consideration in the Arbitration Court of Perm Krai.

To expedite the recovery process, in 2023, the Dehkanabad Potash plant engaged the international law firm White & Case, which has already secured the payment of 650 million soums. This money was distributed among 205 affected workers.

Uzkimyosanoat JSC points out that on 10 January 2025, former employees of ZUMK-Engineering once again approached the plant’s management, requesting assistance in obtaining the remaining payments.

In response, the Chairman of the Board of Dehkanabad Potash held a meeting, where he explained the current status of the court proceedings and assured that the process is nearing completion.

The plant’s management expressed readiness to continue supporting the affected employees and take all necessary steps to finalize the recovery of the remaining debt.