The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan has dismissed the head of Kattakurgan city’s Department of Employment and Poverty Reduction after he was caught off guard — hugging a female colleague on his lap during a Zoom meeting. The video quickly went viral online.
The ministry responded swiftly, firing both officials involved.
Online commenters didn’t miss the chance to share their irony on the situation:
«He provided her with employment and cut poverty.»
«And they’re always ‘in a meeting’ when you try to call or visit.»
«Now we all know what their meetings look like.»
Many social media users compared the Kattakurgan incident to a recent public scandal at a Coldplay concert in Boston, where a so-called «kiss cam» captured the CEO and HR director of Astronomer hugging and kissing. Both were reportedly married. That video also went viral, sparking widespread discussion online. In both cases, moments meant to be private turned unexpectedly public.
While there’s no official information on the marital status of the Uzbek official and his colleague, many assume both are married.
