Karaev Let It Slip

• 8.07.2026, 10:09

The authorities acknowledged what had previously been kept quiet.

While receiving an official delegation from the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan, the head of the Grodno Region Yuri Karaev acknowledged the existence of a long-standing problem with all the candor of a general, writes “Solidarnast”:

“It’s no secret that we have a labor shortage in rural areas, while they have a shortage of jobs. That’s why I suggested that we’re willing to accept a small number of hardworking, non-drinking people who are eager to earn money, so they can work here.”

At the same time, the official sought to preempt any potential negative reaction to this proposal, stating that “we have no intention of overburdening the region and its population with migrants under any circumstances.” In other words, this process is more strictly controlled in our country than anywhere else.

This admission by the former Minister of Internal Affairs—who, among others, contributed to the labor shortage (and not only in rural areas)—is doubly telling.

His remarks about the need for workers who do not drink and are eager to earn a living generally characterize the situation in the industry, which we have been observing for more than a decade. When people have a good life, they do not drink excessively or shirk work.

Can the situation be remedied by bringing in migrant workers from Uzbekistan? Hardly. The labor shortage is just one of many problems. The main one is ineffective government administration. The ruler’s recent visit to the Uzden District, where he was presented with a calf, showed that private farmers are just as good at—if not better at—managing milk yields and weight gains.

A prime example is the inglorious fate of the “Kupalovskoye” agricultural holding, which is part of Lukashenko’s business empire. This is clear evidence that neither budget injections nor the patronage of officials can save what is, in essence, a run-of-the-mill collective farm.