Aqtogai Milk workers say 600 jobs at risk after management arrests

September 16, 2026 at 09:52 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Workers at Aqtogai Milk and Aktogai-Agro in Pavlodar region say more than 600 jobs are at risk after the arrest of top managers, including general director Alexander Terentyev. The enterprises are operating without management during the harvest campaign, and employees fear they will not cope with harvesting and milk production. The workers are asking to change Terentyev's detention to house arrest so he can manage the farms while the investigation continues.

Key Facts

More than 600 villagers work at Aqtogai Milk and Aktogai-Agro, which farm 15,000 hectares and keep 2,000 dairy cows.
On July 20, six workers died from hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a sewer well at Aqtogai Milk in Zholaman village.
A government commission found the employer 100% at fault, citing lack of safety training and protective equipment.
Workers planned to store about 2,000 tonnes of potatoes, but current volumes are significantly lower.
The company has no wage arrears and continues to meet obligations to the families of the deceased workers.

Management Vacuum

After the arrests of top managers and a safety engineer, no one is left to make management decisions at Aqtogai Milk and Aktogai-Agro. Employees say production is currently held together only by their own enthusiasm, with no one controlling their actions. One Aqtogai Milk worker said the farms are large and without professionals it is frightening, adding that staff are exhausted. The enterprises are without leadership in the middle of the harvest campaign, according to workers.

Harvest and Livestock Risks

Workers fear part of the potato harvest will not be collected and transported in time, with planned storage of about 2,000 tonnes now significantly lower. They also worry that part of the crop may freeze or that fuel supply problems could arise. The dairy complex holds about 2,000 head of cattle that need daily feed and care. Employees fear that without management there may be difficulties with product shipments and other operational matters.

Workers' Appeal

Employees are not asking to stop the investigation or free management from responsibility. They request that Alexander Terentyev's detention be changed to house arrest so he can manage the enterprises during the harvest while participating in investigative actions. In a video address, workers of Aqtogai Agro and Aqtogai Milk asked to allow the enterprise to continue working, preserve jobs, and complete investment projects without hindering the investigation. Workers believe investigative actions can proceed without keeping Terentyev in custody.