As previously reported by Spot, the recruitment company HOPS Labour Solutions announced the recruitment of Uzbeks for agricultural work in the United Kingdom.

On January 10, applications for selection were registered, with plans to recruit 3,000 individuals. However, on January 15, the Migration Agency announced that the registration results were unilaterally canceled.

“The decision was made by [the company] HOPS Labour Solutions. The Migration Agency does not have the authority to change it,” the statement said. Candidates were advised to address complaints to the recruitment company.

On the HOPS Labour Solutions website, a notice was published regarding the postponement of recruitment in Uzbekistan. The company cited “reliable reports of third-party interference in the registration process,” emphasizing the need for “reliability and transparency” in recruitment.

The company plans to investigate the collection of fees by third parties for inclusion in the seasonal work program. Individuals with evidence of such incidents and wishing to assist in the process are encouraged to write to [email protected].

According to the Migration Agency, on January 10, 12,331 people registered to participate in the recruitment for work in the United Kingdom. The highest number of applications came from Samarkand (1,833), Andijan (1,364), and Namangan regions (1,187).

The registration process itself was extended by two hours due to technical issues on the Xorijda Ish platform, lasting until 21:00. The agency stated that up to 2 million users were trying to access the platform simultaneously.

The Deputy Head of the agency, Matlab Kurbanov, stated at a press conference on January 17 that nearly 3 million Uzbeks submitted applications in total. The agency took into account the mistakes made in organizing recruitment in previous years and attempted to improve the platform; however, not all applications were accepted due to technical problems.

Kurbanov also promised to re-conduct registration after the platform is updated. “Due to high demand, the technology sometimes struggles, but we are preparing for the upcoming competitions to improve timelines and capabilities,” he reported.

Earlier, Spot reported that money transfers to Uzbekistan increased by a third in the first ten months of 2024.