Eurasia Insight
April 28

When Uzbekistan decided to open a military air facility at Khanabad to US forces in October 2001, most Uzbeks living in the area viewed the development as a potential economic bonanza. But initial high hopes have given way to disenchantment over the past year and a half. Concerns about possible terrorist actions reportedly caused US military officials to restrict access to the base, resulting in layoffs for local hires.

For over a year the Khanabad base indeed proved to be a boon for the surrounding area, proving a source of economic sustenance for thousands of families. At one point, the facility employed upwards of 3,000 local Uzbeks, most of them in maintenance and construction jobs. In the days and weeks leading up to the US military campaign to oust Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, however, local hires at the Khanabad base were laid off.

The move caught Uzbek base employees by surprise, and no official explanation was provided. A local, unofficial source characterized the move as a precaution against a possible terrorist attack, noting that Islamic radicals are active in Uzbekistan and potentially could infiltrate the base posing as employees.

Hundreds of young Khanabad residents are still trying to recover from the economic trauma, engaged in what for many is turning out to be a futile search for a new job. "We were very glad when our son was hired to work at the American airbase," said the father of a former carpenter at the air base. "He had long been unemployed. Unfortunately, three months after his employment, he was laid off along with all other workers without any explanation of reasons."

The layoffs apparently have not harmed the overall US-Uzbek strategic relationship. Tashkent remains one of the Bush administration’s strongest supporters on its Iraq policy. During the just-concluded session of the Uzbek parliament, legislators adopted a statement that both reinforced the country’s unequivocal backing of the United States and expressed hope that Uzbekistan’s loyalty would be rewarded.

"The stance of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the logical continuation of our country’s firm and consistent policy of principle aimed at resolutely fighting international terrorism," the Uzbek parliament statement said.

Uzbek specialists "worked for many years in the past in various fields of Iraq’s economy and have good memories about those years," the statement added. "We are confident that Uzbek specialists will help and take part in the implementation of humanitarian projects on the peaceful restoration of Iraq."

While Uzbekistan’s participation in Iraq’s reconstruction might prove lucrative to the government, the Khanabad experience indicates that workers might not reap their fair share of the benefits, an Uzbek human rights worker says. In recent weeks, accusations have emerged against Uzbek companies responsible for hiring local workers at Khanabad. Disgruntled workers suggest the companies withheld a portion of salaries. No one accused any American military or civilian official of any wrongdoing.

Yadgar Turlibekov, a local human rights advocate, claimed that audits showed that Uzbek companies paid workers less than half of what the Americans allocated for payroll. "Americans know that labor is cheap in Uzbekistan – some $200-300 [per month] – which is nothing by American standards," Turlibekov said. "Otherwise, they would have brought their own builders. But what they don’t know is that our odd-jobbers received less than $100 for their work."

Turlibekov added that masons and carpenters, who performed difficult and dangerous construction work, should have received twice the amount of what other workers received, i.e. upwards of $500 per month. In reality, these skilled worked earned the same as those in low-skill positions. "The most terrible thing is that the workers [had] to work 12 hours a day without any days off," says Turlibekov. "They [were] entitled to only one day off a month."

Some workers said they had to pay Uzbek company officials a bribe of up to $60 to secure a job at the US military base. "The Americans were not particularly demanding," said one worker. "But anyone who dared to [challenge] our local managers was fired immediately. There were more applicants than jobs."

Concerns about retaliation, specifically the loss of a coveted job, meant that most workers remained silent about abuses. "A recession in the region, non-payment of salaries and allowances, along with a terrible drop in living standards, have turned people into zombies – ready to surrender their rights, as long as the payment [was] a little higher and food [was] a little better," Turlibekov said.

Some former workers at Khanabad were also critical of security procedures conducted by Uzbek law enforcement officials. Most complaints touched on what some described as humiliating body searches of local workers, especially women, conducted by Uzbek security agents.

"The girl’s honor is the most important thing," said the mother of a girl that used to work as a laundress at the US airbase. "No Uzbek family will let anyone search and paw their daughters or wives like cattle in the bazaar. I prefer that my daughter stays at home."

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