Kazakhstan labor minister gets eggs for promoting retirement reform

Kazakhstan Minister of Labor and Social Protection Serik Abdenov was attacked with eggs in front of 50 journalists and photographers during a briefing in Almaty, Tengrinews.kz reports. A man throwing the eggs introduced himself as the communist Andrey Tsukanov. He explained his action by saying that Abdenov was just flouting people. The Minister received the bad publicity after he said at a retirement reform meeting in Karaganda: "You all have to work, because, my dear countrymen, just because, just because..." The Minister arrived in Almaty to explain and promote the retirement reform. Before the incident the Minister told about his attitude to becoming a "YouTube star". "That was an extract from my speech taken out of context," Abdenov said. "With this phrase (just because, just because...) I tried to alter the mood in the room and calm everyone down. I wanted to suppress the emotions." Abdenov reacted calmly to the journalist asking him if he agreed that it was time for him to resign. "I believe that I am performing my duties and only one person can assess my performance: the person who appointed me to this position," he said. Three eggs followed the Minister's words "Justice is always an important factor." Tsukanov threw the eggs with the words "You are speaking to buncombe" and added: "You are performing anti-people reforms. You better resign. Greetings from Karaganda by the way. I am from there too. Stop disgracing Karaganda and the country!" After the incident the Minister walked out promising to come back and continue the briefing. He said later: "This is a manifestation of the cultural level of the person who did it. How can I comment it? I came here to explain the reform. He could have asked a question just like the other journalists instead." The egg-thrower was apprehended by police for his disorderly conduct. Abdenov added that he had no intention to sue Tsukanov. By Roza Yessenkulova