Photo: Centralasian.org

Citizens of Zhanaozen city, Mangystau region, gathered outside of the akimat building and demanded employment from the city authorities, on March 11, from 11 am local time. After a few hours, the number of people gathered in front of the akimat rose by about fifty.

They demanded that the head of the city Adilbek Dauylbaev come out to them. Moreover, the protesters said an appeal to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, and stated that they intend to bring their demands to Astana.

However, Deputy Mayor Sanim Tanayeva said that "there is no mayor of the city and a meeting is taking place inside". Besides, she noted that people can enter one by one. However, citizens started to enter, but reporter of Azattyk Sanie Toyken was not allowed to enter to the building. There are police officers around and inside of the building.

In addition, earlier gathered people said to the reporter Azattyk that they require employment by profession - in the oil industry. They say that the newly-formed enterprise “with 350 workplace” no longer accepts anyone, because of overcrowding.

Additionally, it should be noted that unemployed residents of Zhanaozen have been protesting since the beginning of February. They demand from the city authorities to find work with a wage of 150-200 thousand tenge (about 400 dollars).

Recall, on December 16, 2011, tragic events occurred in Zhanaozen. The police opened fire on the oil workers who had been striking for several months. They demanded higher wages and better working conditions. Therefore, according to the official data, 17 people died.

"The Qazaq Times"