Expat Turks Praise Working Conditions in Turkmenistan
Of all the various foreign companies that operate in Turkmenistan, it is only Turkish firms that enjoy preferential terms for accommodation, business and taxation, as President Saparmurat Niazov has accorded them the maximum benefits in return for their p
Expat Turks Praise Working Conditions in Turkmenistan
Of all the various foreign companies that operate in Turkmenistan, it is only Turkish firms that enjoy preferential terms for accommodation, business and taxation, as President Saparmurat Niazov has accorded them the maximum benefits in return for their p
At the end of the Nineties, the offices of Turkish firms began springing up like mushrooms. Thse companies currently dominate the construction, pharmaceutical and processing industries, while the textile industry is virtually monopolised by the Turks. They are given unprecedented preferential terms for taxation, property rent and loans.
Most of the foreign nationals now living in Turkmenistan are Turks: there are almost 30,000 entrepreneurs and workers from Turkey in the country.
The Turks working in Turkmenistan describe their working conditions as incredibly fortunate. This is noticeable at all levels: the expatriate workers get paid wages they could never dream of back home, while Turkish company owners can pay the local Turkmen workers two or three times less.
Kamran, who works on a construction site, said he came to Turkmenistan because at home, he was simply an unskilled labourer and could not always find work. Here he is able to earn a lot more than in Turkey, and the cost of living is much cheaper. He says it is like paradise, and he plans to extend his contract and continue earning money here.
One Turkish businessman described how his company does landscape design and gardening. "There are a lot of beautiful new sites [for landscaping] in your country and my business is in demand,” he said. “I’ve found it easy to get a loan with minimal interest rates, and I pay almost no taxes. You have a good president!”
The presence of Turkish nationals has undoubtedly made a substantial contribution to all areas of life in Turkmenistan, with the large investments in the economy, culture and education sectors of particular note.
There are currently 15 Turkmen-Turkish schools in Turkmenistan, not counting special schools for girls, plus a Turkmen-Turkish university. These offer a high standard of level of education, and pupils often do very well in city and national competitions. In additions, the schools offer successful pupils a chance to pursue their education in Turkey.
Yet in general, the Turks generally live fairly separate lives and form their own community. They go to their own clinics, only eat at Turkish restaurants, and buy their food and goods only at Turkish supermarkets.
Most of the foreign nationals now living in Turkmenistan are Turks: there are almost 30,000 entrepreneurs and workers from Turkey in the country.
The Turks working in Turkmenistan describe their working conditions as incredibly fortunate. This is noticeable at all levels: the expatriate workers get paid wages they could never dream of back home, while Turkish company owners can pay the local Turkmen workers two or three times less.
Kamran, who works on a construction site, said he came to Turkmenistan because at home, he was simply an unskilled labourer and could not always find work. Here he is able to earn a lot more than in Turkey, and the cost of living is much cheaper. He says it is like paradise, and he plans to extend his contract and continue earning money here.
One Turkish businessman described how his company does landscape design and gardening. "There are a lot of beautiful new sites [for landscaping] in your country and my business is in demand,” he said. “I’ve found it easy to get a loan with minimal interest rates, and I pay almost no taxes. You have a good president!”
The presence of Turkish nationals has undoubtedly made a substantial contribution to all areas of life in Turkmenistan, with the large investments in the economy, culture and education sectors of particular note.
There are currently 15 Turkmen-Turkish schools in Turkmenistan, not counting special schools for girls, plus a Turkmen-Turkish university. These offer a high standard of level of education, and pupils often do very well in city and national competitions. In additions, the schools offer successful pupils a chance to pursue their education in Turkey.
Yet in general, the Turks generally live fairly separate lives and form their own community. They go to their own clinics, only eat at Turkish restaurants, and buy their food and goods only at Turkish supermarkets.
