From exploitation in Russia to blooming business back at home

In late 2013, Jamshedov’s (surname is changed) were in a very difficult financial situation with Shahlo (name changed) and Malik (name changed) were left without a job at the same time. 

They both worked in a bakery but it was closed down due to bankruptcy.  Malik was looking for a job for five months but unfortunately, without any luck.  Noticing the vulnerable position of the family, Jamshedov’s neighbor recommended them a job in a confectionary factory in the surroundings of Moscow.  Shahlo and Malik decided to go to Russia together and take on the job as they were informed the salary would be at least 500 USD as well as a possible Russian residency. Malik thus borrowed some money from relatives in order to buy the tickets to Russia. 

Upon Shahlo’s and Malik’s arrival to Moscow, they were met by a middleman in the airport who took them to the factory.  In the factory, they met their employer who took their passports claiming it was meant for Russian permanent residency documentation.  According to their verbal agreement, Shahlo and Malik would receive 25,000 Russian rubles each, accommodation and food. 

However, after a month, Shahlo and Malik only received 10,000 Russian rubles in total.  They were promised the full payment in the end of the working quarter. As both Shahlo and Malik worked in different sections of the factory, they rarely saw each other.  The working conditions were also bad, but the Jamshedov’s decided to continue on working due to their financial need. 

After three months, Malik asked his manager for the salary however his request was met with threats against him and his wife. He threated to throw away their passports and denied paying them for their work in the last three months.  For 11 months, the Jamshedov family was in labor exploitation.  The manager decided to fire them while paying them very little money which wasn’t enough for return ticket back to Tajikistan. 

Under USAID Project ‘Dignity and Human Rights’, an NGO provided the Jamshedov family with income-generating equipment. This gave Shahlo and Malik an opportunity to open a bakery and continue the business. 

The Jamshedov family is grateful for USAID project for its help and assistance in helping them with the establishment of the bakery. Shahlo is responsible for sales while her husband Malik bakes the goods.  The couple makes enough money for their daily needs.  They are planning to expand their business in the future to make more money but the most important thing is that they are back home with their kids.