Information is circulating online that rescuers from the Shortandy District of the Akmola Region are refusing to report for duty, allegedly due to being forced to carry out work that is not part of their responsibilities.
According to the Instagram page «Sinegor.kz», the rescuers have even prepared resignation letters. They claim that colleagues from many districts of the region are ready to support them.
«They are ready to save lives, but they are not ready to do repairs, prepare toilets, install heating, and perform other tasks that they should not be doing. And you can understand them, because government bodies usually conduct procurement and select a contractor to organise such services, and most importantly, they allocate budget funds, and sizeable ones at that. The people insist that the pressure is coming from the top, from the regional Department for Emergency Situations», the message states.
It is noted that another reason for the boycott is the dismissal of the unit chief, whom the staff valued and respected.
«Everyone knows the real reason, they write to us about it, but the official reason is different. Those who have written to us claim that there is even a system of constant extortion (we are attaching all screenshots so as not to be unsubstantiated). People are afraid to say anything more specific», the source reports.
Journalists contacted the Department for Emergency Situations of the Akmola Region for comment, but were only told that an investigation is underway, after which the results and official reasons for the current situation will be announced.