Charjou now called Turkmenabat, happens to be the chief city of the Lebap region where several factories produce cotton and woolen fabrics.
It also has the distinction of running having the country's only silk weaving factory.
Cotton stands second behind gas as an important export earner and since recent times, the government has favored local manufacturing of jeans and other finished products.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Dortguly Aidogdiev, the textiles minister was officially sacked last month due to his strike by textile workers and its aftermath.
Besides, financial bungling which eventually led to industrial unrest, prompted President Niazov, to hold a cabinet meeting on May 16, 2006, and finally sacking Aidogdiev on the grounds that he was responsible for ruining the sector.
Ahal region and Kaakhka district were also among the regions affected by the unrest.
Prosecutors allege that these factories depicted accounts displaying that the workers were being paid regularly but in fact the wages were not paid for several months resulting in workers agitation.
Managers forced staff to work on weekends without extra pay and thus the workers had reacted out of desperation due to non-payment of wage arrears compounded by harsh working environment.
At some places, staff was required to work six days a week in two shifts despite bad health and unsafe conditions.
Amopng its findings, it came to their notice that in the spinning department the air was full of small cotton particles without any room for fresh air to enter the section.
The monthly wages did not exceed US $100 and no additional wages were paid for extra working in hazardous conditions and above all; unions did not support them.
Investigation into the textile industry debacle appears to have one sobering effect managers commenced distribution of some wage arrears.
marketing@alchempro.com
