“10,000 Manats Are Not Enough”: Harsh Labor Conditions, Discrimination, and Conflicts at the Çalık Enerji Power Plant Construction Site in Turkmenistan

“10,000 Manats Are Not Enough”: Harsh Labor Conditions, Discrimination, and Conflicts at the Çalık Enerji Power Plant Construction Site in Turkmenistan Article by the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan Even at projects officially presented as highly paid employment opportunities, labor and human rights continue to be systematically violated in Turkmenistan. According to the independent media outlet Hronika TM, workers are resigning en masse from the construction of a combined-cycle power plant being built by the Turkish company Çalık Enerji in the settlement of Kiyanly on the Caspian Sea coast, despite wages reaching 10,000 manats per month. 🔗 Source: https://www.hronikatm.com/2026/01/despite-a-salary-of-10000-manats-people-are-quitting-their-jobs-at-the-calik-enerji-power-plant-under-construction/ Çalık Enerji serves as the general contractor for the construction of the 1,574 MW power plant. Most workers are recruited locally, although many travel from other regions of the country in search of employment. According to workers, even unskilled labor can earn up to 10,000 manats per month. However, the harsh working conditions make the job nearly unbearable: — constant strong winds between the sea and the steppe — eight-hour workdays outdoors during the winter season — heavy physical workload and lack of proper living conditions Another major factor contributing to high turnover is the tense atmosphere at the site. Workers report poor communication and lack of trust between staff and mid-level management, as well as frequent conflicts among workers. In some cases, these tensions have escalated into physical fights between Turkmen and Azerbaijani workers — citizens of Turkmenistan living in the same region. ❗ Important to emphasize: These conflicts are not isolated incidents. They occur within the broader context of systemic discrimination in Turkmenistan based on language, regional origin, and ethnic background, which deeply affects the labor market, public institutions, and everyday social life. Social divisions and unequal treatment regularly lead to humiliation, restricted opportunities, and rising tension. Under harsh working conditions and without legal protection, this tension often turns into open conflict. According to workers, most people manage to stay on the site for only three to six months: “Few people last longer. But for this salary, there will always be new workers — even from other regions,” one construction worker explained. Construction of the power plant began in 2025, with commissioning planned for 2027. The situation at the Çalık Enerji construction site is not an isolated case but a reflection of systemic problems in Turkmenistan: ▪️ lack of safe and humane working conditions ▪️ economic pressure forcing people to accept exploitative labor ▪️ total disregard for labor rights ▪️ deep-rooted discrimination within society High wages cannot justify violations of human dignity. The state must: — monitor the labor practices of foreign contractors — ensure effective protection of workers’ rights — prevent discrimination and workplace conflicts — allow independent complaint mechanisms and trade unions The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan will continue documenting such violations and raising these issues at the international level.