How Burger King Kazakhstan Profits from People with Special Needs
Alibek Karatay is a world-renowned artist, but to Burger King, he was just a 'used coupon.' This is how state subsidies turn social support into an exploitation machine, forcing a mother to send her son abroad to escape corporate bullying.
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While all of Kazakhstan is discussing the viral video of Almaty Burger King managers hounding Alibek Karatay, a cook with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), out of his job, it is vital to understand: this is not a "random conflict" or a manager’s bad mood. It is a cold-blooded calculation.
Why did the harassment start now? The answer lies in figures that the corporation prefers to keep hidden.
The Mathematics of Profit: How the Subsidy Scheme Works
In Kazakhstan, the state pays companies to employ people with special needs (under a program called "Subsidizing Special Workplaces"):
- Year 1: The state budget covers 70% of the employee's salary.
- Year 2: The budget covers 65%.
- Year 3: The budget covers 60%.
- Bonus: The state provides over 1.1 million tenge (300 MCI) for "workplace accommodation."
The Drop-off Point: When a Person Becomes "Unprofitable"
Alibek worked for the chain for 4 years. This is the tipping point. The state’s grace period for Burger King has ended. From a "profitable asset" subsidized by the taxpayers of Kazakhstan, he turned into an employee for whom the corporation must pay in full.
At that exact moment, the "inclusive" brand traded mercy for mobbing. The expiration date on the state discounts for the company passed—and the human being was tossed aside like trash.
The Truth from Alibek’s Mother: "Condemnation" Instead of Work
Alibek’s mother, Zhanat Karatay, reveals harrowing details in private correspondence. The young man is so traumatized by the harassment (which he calls "condemnation") that he had to be sent away temporarily just to forget this nightmare.
"Alibek still asks me to make sure that in his new company he won’t be 'condemned'—that is how he describes the bullying," Zhanat shares.
The owners of BK Kazakhstan (QSR / Holten Group) do not admit guilt and are attempting to "settle" the conflict behind closed doors, even as the Ministry of Labor’s audit has already confirmed systemic violations of Alibek's rights.
A Talent That Didn't Fit the KPI
The manipulation is doubly disgusting because Alibek is a world-renowned talent:
- In 2015, he won 2nd place at the ANCA International Awards (Canada) in the "Visual Arts" category.
- He is supported by the Autistan.org community and international experts.
The world recognized him as a Creator. Burger King Kazakhstan saw him only as a tool to drain the state budget.
Our Demands to International Human Rights Organizations
We call upon Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the ILO (International Labour Organization), as well as comrades from the CWI and left party Die Linke, to hold the Restaurant Brands International (RBI) head office accountable.
- Stop Trading on Inclusion: The global brand is responsible for labor discrimination within its franchises.
- Stop Exploiting the Vulnerable: We demand an audit of all subsidy programs. Stop using people as disposable resources for tax benefits.
- Support the Family: We urge everyone to show support for Alibek’s mother, Zhanat Karatay. She is fighting for her son’s dignity and to end this predatory scheme.
We do not need your apologies. We need a law that prohibits corporations from profiting off state social programs only to discard people as soon as the funding dries up.
