Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Kazakhstan (Ratification: 1999)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the detailed information about the set of measures implemented by the Government in the framework of the National Entrepreneurship Development Project for 2021–2025. In this respect, the Committee observes that the Government has created a skills training architecture with special emphasis on digital learning through a single Portal of short-term online training in skills launched in July 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The Portal is open to all citizens and provides access to various short-term online courses on the principle of a marketplace (service market). The main objective of the Portal is to increase the population’s education and professional qualifications by encouraging career development. In this context, the Government indicates that as of 1 September 2023, 37,151 persons were engaged in online training, of whom 34,062 received certificates upon completion. The Government further refers to training in skills that are provided in educational organizations at the requests of employers, as well as on-the-job training with a mentor. The Committee notes that as of 1 September 2023, 3,703 persons had been enrolled in training in educational organizations, and 785 at the employer’s workplace. The Committee also notes the provision of government grants within the framework of the Bastau Business project, launched by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs RK “Atameken”. The Project is open to any unemployed or self-employed rural resident to learn the basics of entrepreneurship and to get a preferential loan for opening own business (sewing workshops, bakeries, beauty salons, and dairy and other facilities). The Government states that in 2023 conditions have been created for the provision of 9,000 Government grants for 12.4 billion Kazakhstani tenges (approximately US$255.433 million) and as of 1 September 2023, 5,317 people had received such support in the amount of 1.3 million Kazakhstani tenges (approximately US$2,621). The Government further indicates that in 2023, a total of 28.9 billion Kazakhstani tenges (approximately US$58.26 million) was allocated to fund 5,800 microcredits, including for young entrepreneurs. The Committee further notes the establishment of subsidizing jobs to adapt to new jobs citizens facing certain barriers in the labour market. Special focus is put on young people’s career development with the creation of youth internships to address the lack of work experience after graduation and through the transfer of expertise and skills from people of pre-retirement age to young specialists within the framework of the Contract of Generations project. In addition, the Government refers to the implementation of the First Job Project in partnership with employers. This Project provides support to youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) to overcome barriers. Lastly, the Government refers to the Silver Age project which is envisaged to encourage employers to employ persons of pre-retirement age. Since the beginning of 2023, 690,700 people have participated in the National Project, of whom 503,400 have benefited from employment measures.

The Committee notes with interest the above measures taken to tackle the main challenges the country has been facing for numerous years, namely the lack of quality jobs and opportunities for access to more productive employment opportunities, a strong reliance on natural resources, the need to promote economic diversification the need to promote diversification and to take measures for transforming the economy to the digital era and a need to focus on youth, older workers, and persons with disabilities. While taking due consideration of the measures taken by the Government, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the nature, scope, and impact of all measures taken on achieving the objectives of the Convention, including as regards the issues of tackling labour market informality and inequality and the need to increase access to more productive employment opportunities in the context of the economic diversification for people belonging to groups more vulnerable to decent work deficits, such as women, young persons, older workers, and persons with disabilities. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate the impact of the measures taken on. The Committee further requests the Government to provide detailed information on measures taken or contemplated to provide lower skilled workers with upskilling and reskilling opportunities and to increase the quality and relevance of skills of young persons, especially of those who are not in employment, education, or training. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the horizontal co-operation and vertical coordination on skill policies between central and local government so as to reduce regional disparities and the large share of low paid jobs.

Statistical information. Employment trends. The Committee welcomes the statistics provided by the Government on employment trends disaggregated by economic sectors. It notes that according to the Bureau of National Statistics, the working age population aged 15 and older reached 9,567,000 persons in the second quarter of 2023 (9,115,000 in employment and 452,600 unemployed). The Government also indicates that during the reporting period the number of self-employed was 2,131,500 persons and the number of hired workers was 6,900,400. The sector of wholesale and retail trade had the highest share of employed persons (1,517,400 or 16.6 per cent), followed by education (1,177,400, or 12.9 per cent), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (1,111,300 or 12.2 per cent), and industry (1,116,700, or 12.2 per cent). Concerning the unemployment rate, the Committee notes that it slightly decreased from 5 per cent in 2020 to 4.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, with overall youth unemployment falling from 4.0 per cent in 2020 to 3.6 per cent (131,700 persons) in the reporting period. The Committee further observes that according to the OECD 2021 Skills Strategy Kazakhstan the employment rate of persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan is comparatively low (22 per cent) in comparison to the OECD-European average of 46.9 per cent, despite the fact that roughly 61 per cent of persons with disabilities are of working age and only 8.9 per cent are fully disabled. In addition, according to the OECD report (page 24) the women in Kazakhstan have significantly lower employment rates than men (60.6 per cent versus 73.2 per cent), resulting primarily from much higher inactivity rates (34 per cent versus 23.1 per cent), and respectively their unemployment rates (5.6 per cent versus 4.4 per cent). TheCommittee requests the Government to continue providing updated statistical information on labour market trends in the country, particularly regarding the persons with disabilities and women, employment, unemployment, and visible underemployment rates of the active population, disaggregated by sex and age, and, if possible, by urban and rural areas.

Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government about the role and impact of mobile employment centres (MEC) in remote communities. In this respect, the Government indicates that as of 1 August 2023, the MEC completed 2,033 visits out of the planned 2,969, covering 45,910 persons, of whom 6,480 were employed on a permanent basis, 10,123 were employed in jobs subsidized by the State (social jobs, youth internships, public works, and Contract of Generations, First Job and Silver Age projects), 415 persons attended short-term vocational training, and 5,137 people commenced training under the Bastau Business project. In addition, grants for implementing new business ideas were issued to 476 persons. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the activities, number, and impact of the mobile employment centres, including data disaggregated by age and sex, on the numbers of persons placed in employment. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on manners to address difficulties encountered by the mobile employment centres in rural areas/remote communities. The Committee also requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on employment and unemployment trends disaggregated by regions.

Vocational training. Noting the information provided, the Committee requests the Government to continue to communicate updated information on vocational and training programmes and the impact of these programmes on employment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. Regarding the consultations with social partners, the Government refers to a meeting on 25 August 2023 of the National Tripartite Commission for Social Partnership and the Regulation of Social and Employment Relations. The Government also informs about the entry into force of a General Agreement with national trade union associations and national employers’ associations for 2021–23 and the adoption of a corresponding Action Plan. The Plan includes a section “Ensuring Employment” within the framework of which the Government and social partners worked together to implement the Employment Roadmap for 2020–21, aimed at ensuring employment and creating additional jobs. The Committee also notes the information on the ILO’s webpage that on 12 June 2024 the ILO and Kazakhstan have agreed a Roadmap to promote decent work in the country between 2024–25. The Roadmap outlines work in five main areas, including social dialogue and tripartism, an area in which, in 2023, Kazakhstan adopted a new Social Code, promoting social dialogue and the institutional capacity of the social partners (employers’ and workers’ organizations). The Committee request the Government to continue communicate information on consultations with representatives of all sectors of the economically active population, in particular, with representatives of disadvantaged groups, such as persons with disabilities, rural workers and workers in the informal economy regarding the elaboration of employment policy measures.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Government reports that various measures have been successfully implemented under the Employment Roadmap 2020 Programme to improve working and living standards, especially in rural areas. The Government further refers to anti-recession measures implemented under the Employment Roadmap 2020-2021 (the Road Map) as well as to the active employment measures taken under the Enbek [Employment] State Programme for the development of productive employment and mass entrepreneurship 2017–2021. According to the Government, the Enbek programme establishes an effective system for delivering the vocational skills and qualifications in demand in the labour market, develops mass entrepreneurship and creates an effective model of employment intermediation services, including providing support to specific groups of the population in vulnerable situations. Moreover, the Enbek programme implements the measures developed by the national Jastar – el tiregi [Youth is the Backbone of the Country] project. With respect to measures taken to promote the employment of persons with disabilities, the Committee notes the information available on the website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, which indicates that the Government is implementing a National Plan for ensuring the rights and improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities (2020–2025). It further notes that one of the priority tasks of the National Plan is to promote the economic independence of and high-quality employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the nature, scope and impact of all measures taken or contemplated, including training and retraining programs, to tackle unemployment, especially for people belonging to disadvantaged groups, such as women, young persons and persons with disabilities, to enable them to access decent and lasting employment at all levels and across all economic sectors.

Statistical information. Employment trends. The Committee welcomes the statistics provided by the Government on employment trends and the participation of jobseekers in technical and vocational education programmes in 2019 and 2020. It further notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the employment rate, which has been contained as a result of the Government’s anti-recession measures under “the Road Map”. The Government indicates that, during the reporting period, over 160,000 people were employed. It adds that the unemployment rate, which stood at 4.8 per cent in 2019, has only slightly increased to 5 per cent in the second quarter of 2020. The overall youth unemployment rate rose slightly, from 3.7 per cent in 2019 to 4 per cent in 2020. Women’s unemployment slightly increased to 5.4 per cent (5.2 per cent in 2019). The Committee notes that, according to the statistics of the Committee of the Ministry of the National Economy, the working age population aged 15 and older reached 9.2 million in the second quarter of 2020 (8.7 million in employment and 454,000 people unemployed). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date statistical information on labour market trends in the country, particularly regarding the active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment rates, disaggregated by sex and age, and, if possible, by urban or rural area.

Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Government refers to the role of employment services in promoting employment, through the provision of specialist advice and individualized support to jobseekers, including personal profiling, vocational aptitude assessments, career guidance and personalized employment placement plans. The Government further indicates that collaboration with employers has been enhanced and the launch of an e-labour exchange system has improved the performance of employment intermediation services. In addition, self-service areas have been set up in employment centres where employers and jobseekers can use the e-labour exchange platform. In addition, employment services have been outsourced to private employment agencies, increasing the channels through which unemployed people can find jobs. In this context, the Committee notes the development of mobile employment centres which interact with jobseekers, unemployed people, employers and private employment agencies to identify people in need, deliver targeted support, and improve the public awareness and availability of employment services. It further notes that 30 pilot projects have been launched in the cities of Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Shymkent in 2020. In addition, since the beginning of 2020, more than 100 mobile employment centres have been launched in the regions with a view to proactively promoting employment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information on the activities, number and impact of the mobile employment centres, as well as of the e-labour exchange system, including information, including data disaggregated by age and sex, on the numbers of persons placed in employment through this system.

Vocational training.Noting the information provided, the Committee requests the Government to continue to communicate updated information vocational on training programmes and the impacts of these programmes on employment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. Regarding consultation with the social partners, the Government indicates that the Public Council for Social and Labour Matters has been set up to ensure effective consultations with social partners and among public authorities as part of the legislative process. Additionally, the National Tripartite Commission for Social Partnership and the Regulation of Social and Employment Relations operates on a permanent basis with a view to ensuring effective consultations and discussions on social and employment issues. The National Tripartite Commission is a standing body with the mandate to reconcile the interests of the social partners by conducting consultations and discussions between the Government of Kazakhstan, national workers’ associations and national employers’ associations, which are formalized through decisions that are binding on the parties. The Committee notes that, since the beginning of 2019, two meetings of the National Tripartite Commission have been held on employment-related issues in the regions, including issues such as mapping labour-related risks, delays in payment of remuneration and occupational safety and health. The Committee requests the Government to continue to communicate up-to-date, detailed information in its next report on consultations held with the social partners on the matters covered by the Convention and to provide concrete examples of the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners in the development, implementation and review of employment policy measures and programmes. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner in which it ensures that representatives of all sectors of the economically active population which are affected by the measures to be taken – in particular representatives of disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities, rural workers and workers in the informal economy – are consulted regarding the development and implementation of these measures, as provided for by Article 3 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the Employment Roadmap 2020 Programme offers unemployed and self-employed citizens the opportunity to participate in active employment measures with state support. The Government indicates that the Programme, implemented since 2011, focuses on three main areas. First, it provides employment through the development of infrastructure, housing and utilities, creating temporary jobs during the implementation of infrastructure projects. Its second area of focus is to create jobs by stimulating entrepreneurship, particularly in rural areas, through provision of state support in the form of: microloans to support entrepreneurship and create jobs; free entrepreneurship training; and provision of services. The third area of focus is to provide sustainable and productive employment by building labour capacity and enhancing mobility while taking employers’ needs into account. Participants in the Programme are offered free vocational training supported by payment of an educational allowance. In addition, subsidized work placements are also offered, including subsidized placements for young persons leaving education, to enable them to gain their first work experience. The Government adds that the Programme aims to reduce overall unemployment, especially with regard to women and young persons. In this context, changes and additions are made to the Programme every year to take account of the developing socio-economic situation in the country and the world. The Committee also notes with interest the adoption of a new Employment Act on 6 April 2016. In particular, section 3 of the Act stipulates that state policy in the sphere of employment aims to provide full, productive and freely chosen employment, and that its fundamental objective is to provide equality of opportunity in employment. It notes that section 17(2) of the Act is aligned with the objectives of the Programme, providing for active employment promotion measures, such as: vocational training; entrepreneurship initiatives for citizens; practical training for young people; subsidized job placements; promoting voluntary relocation to improve workforce mobility; and employment for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that the Act aims to involve individuals in active labour market measures, offering targeted social assistance to the unemployed on the condition that they participate in active employment promotion initiatives. In this context, the procedure for assigning unemployment status has been changed so that an individual turning to an employment centre is first registered as a jobseeker, only being registered as unemployed after ten days if no suitable work is identified. The Government adds that, in order to strengthen accountability for the effective use of public funds, a compulsory social contract is signed between the jobseeker and the employment centre in which the State undertakes to provide support and involvement in active employment measures, while the individual undertakes to acquire a profession, participate in youth work placements or work in subsidized job placements. The Government indicates that the unemployment rate in the country decreased from 5.4 per cent in 2011 to 5.0 per cent in 2015, with youth unemployment falling from 6.3 per cent in 2011 to 4.3 per cent in 2015. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the measures implemented in the context of the new Employment Act, the Employment Roadmap 2020 Programme and other relevant measures in terms of promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment for its beneficiaries and specific categories of workers, such as women, young persons, rural workers, older workers, workers with disabilities, the self-employed and workers in the informal economy. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information regarding measures taken to promote the employment of persons with disabilities.

Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee recalls that the national employment policy promotes placement through authorized bodies and private employment agencies. The Committee notes that the 2016 Employment Act broadens the scope of the employment centres, assigning them a major role in promoting employment through functioning as a “one-stop shop”. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the specific means by which the employment services contribute towards the attainment of employment policy objectives, including data disaggregated by age and sex on the number of jobseekers registered and the number of persons placed in employment by the employment services.

Vocational training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding support provided for training, retraining and skills upgrading, which include subsidies for specific groups of workers, including young people. The Government reports that it provides free vocational training to participants in the Programme, offers grants to employers to provide their employees with vocational training and also to young workers from the age of 18 24 on the condition that they do not lose their jobs. The Committee recalls that one of the objectives of the Programme was defined as improving skills training according to the needs of the economy, based on improved labour market monitoring and forecasting. The Committee therefore reiterates its request to the Government to include information on the results of its vocational training programmes and the progress made concerning labour market monitoring and forecasting of skill needs, including their impacts on employment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. The Government indicates that the 2016 Employment Act regulates the role of the social partners in implementing national employment policy. It adds that all interested state bodies, local government bodies, the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs participated in approving the draft version of the Act. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information on the manner in which representatives of the social partners are consulted concerning the development and implementation of employment policies, the steps taken to ensure that their views are fully taken into account and the manner in which their cooperation is secured for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for such policies. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the manner in which representatives of the persons affected by the employment policy measures to be taken are consulted to ensure that their experience and views are taken into account, as required under Article 3 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s reports received in September 2012 and in September 2013 which include information on the results of the Plan of Action to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10 and the Strategy for regional development and retraining, adopted in 2009. A total of US$2.3 billion was allocated to fund the Strategy in 2009–10 and close to 9,000 projects were carried out, creating 258,600 jobs in 2009 and 132,000 in 2010. In addition, 200,000 members of target groups obtained temporary jobs subsidized by the State, and 150,000 people were retrained for new occupations. The Government reports that these measures contributed to the reduction of unemployment from 6.9 per cent in the second quarter of 2009 to 5.6 per cent by the end of 2010. According to figures provided by the Government, the level of unemployment in the country has fallen to 5.2 per cent in July 2012, and the number of employed persons increased from 8,114,000 in 2010 to 8,585,000 in July 2012. The Committee notes that the Employment Programme 2020 was adopted in March 2011. The inception phase was implemented in July–December 2011 to test the proposed labour market regulation mechanisms and to adjust them, if necessary. The Programme is aimed at the following specific groups: self employed, unemployed and low-income population. Its main priorities are to enhance motivation to work, promote the growth of productive employment, improve skills training and retraining, and provide social support. The Committee notes the information provided in September 2013 on the expected results in 2016 in terms of poverty reduction, unemployment and self-employment levels. The Government indicates that the proportion of self-employed people in the economically active population fell from 33.3 per cent in 2010 to 31.9 per cent in July 2012. Furthermore, the Government has drawn up a plan to increase the effectiveness of labour market regulation. Under this plan, “employment maps” of the regions are compiled to reflect the situation of the regional employment markets and labour market trends, including self-employment and employment in the rural areas. These “maps” will form the basis for regulating the balance between the regional labour markets, and will make it possible to take comprehensive measures to promote employment, including through the Employment Programme. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the measures implemented in the context of the Employment Programme 2020 and other major programmes in terms of creating productive employment for its beneficiaries and specific categories of workers, such as women, young persons, rural workers, older workers, workers with disabilities, the self-employed and workers in the informal economy.

Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee notes that one of the objectives of the national employment policy is to organize employment services through an authorized public body and private employment agencies. The Committee recalls that public employment services and private agencies are both actors in the labour market and that their common aim is to contribute to a well-functioning labour market and the achievement of full employment (see General Survey concerning employment instruments, 2010, paragraph 728). The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the specific means by which employment services contribute towards the attainment of employment policy objectives.

Vocational training. The Government reports that it offers different types of support for training and finding work, which include referrals to free courses of vocational training, retraining and skills upgrading, and wage subsidies for target groups. Businesses are also involved in the training and subsequent employment of those taking part in training programmes and employers can be reimbursed up to 70 per cent of training costs. The Committee notes that one of the objectives of the Employment Programme 2020 has been defined as improving skills training and retraining in light of labour market needs, and providing skills training according to the needs of the economy, based on improved labour market monitoring and forecasting. The Government indicates that, from 2014, forecasts will be made of labour demand and supply, and a methodology will be devised for producing annual estimates and figures with respect to the labour needs of the various economic sectors. The Committee recalls that skills development must be adaptable to local and regional needs. The information provided by many countries in the preparation of the 2010 General Survey showed that the involvement of local communities in the design of training programmes, as well as in the management and control of training institutions, has become a key element in their reforms of education systems (see General Survey concerning employment instruments, 2010, paragraph 116). The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its vocational training programmes and the progress made concerning labour market monitoring and forecasting of skills needs, including their impacts on employment.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. The Government indicates that the obligations of the State and of participants in the Employment Programme 2020 are laid down in a social contract. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the manner in which representatives of the social partners are consulted concerning employment policies, and what steps are taken to ensure that their views are fully taken into account and how such cooperation is secured for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for such policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2009 direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2008. The Government indicates that it has been implementing the Kazakhstan Poverty Reduction Programme 2003–05, the Social Reform in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2005–07, the Employment Programme 2005–07, and is presently in the process of implementing the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10. The action plan helps to coordinate measures to implement state policy on support for productive employment, social protection for the unemployed and reducing the unemployment rate by increasing active expressions of employment policy. The Government indicates that as a result of such efforts to implement the aforementioned programmes, the labour market has demonstrated an improvement. In this regard, the Committee notes that the level of employment increased from 91.9 per cent in 2005 to 93.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2008, while unemployment fell from 8.1 per cent to 6.6 per cent respectively. Between 2005 and 2007, over 240,000 new jobs were created a year, half of which were in the rural areas. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the measures implemented in the context of the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10, and effectiveness of such measures in realizing the objectives of the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to include information on the impact of the measures taken to ensure productive employment to vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, young persons, older workers, and workers with disabilities.

Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee notes that, among other things, the national employment policy is aimed at organizing labour intermediation through authorized bodies and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that one out of two jobseekers were placed through the employment services, and over half of the persons registered with the employment services participated in voluntary work. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the means by which employment services contribute towards the attainment of employment policy objectives.

Vocational training. The Committee notes that in 2007, 27,800 unemployed persons underwent training and retraining. The Government indicates that the labour market is currently suffering from a shortage of qualified middle management, and is accordingly seeking to promote training of highly qualified middle management as a matter of priority. In this regard, the Committee notes that an International Labour Forum was convened in Rudny, Kostanay Oblast which sought to review experience in the country of the organization of management training to discuss questions and problems of vocational training of specialists through public–private partnerships in the training of managers. As a result of this Forum, an agreement was concluded between the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, Education and Science and the National Chamber of Economics, and the Atameken Union on the training of competitive national managers 2008–10. The aim of the agreement is to secure the participation of businesses in the implementation of the state programme for the development of technical and vocational education in Kazakhstan 2008–12. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes and the measures taken to ensure that the skills acquired through such training programmes meet the demands of the labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. The Government indicates that Chapter 28 of the Labour Code establishes the right of representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations to consultations and the conclusion of agreements on employment issues, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide more practical information on the manner in which representatives of the social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are consulted concerning employment policies, and what steps are taken to ensure that their views are fully taken into account and how such cooperation is secured for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for such policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2008. The Government indicates that it has been implementing the Kazakhstan Poverty Reduction Programme 2003–05, the Social Reform in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2005–07, the Employment Programme 2005–07, and is presently in the process of implementing the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10. The action plan helps to coordinate measures to implement state policy on support for productive employment, social protection for the unemployed and reducing the unemployment rate by increasing active expressions of employment policy. The Government indicates that as a result of such efforts to implement the aforementioned programmes, the labour market has demonstrated an improvement. In this regard, the Committee notes that the level of employment increased from 91.9 per cent in 2005 to 93.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2008, while unemployment fell from 8.1 per cent to 6.6 per cent respectively. Between 2005 and 2007, over 240,000 new jobs were created a year, half of which were in the rural areas. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the measures implemented in the context of the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10, and effectiveness of such measures in realizing the objectives of the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to include information on the impact of the measures taken to ensure productive employment to vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, young persons, older workers, and workers with disabilities.

2. Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee notes that, among other things, the national employment policy is aimed at organizing labour intermediation through authorized bodies and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that one out of two jobseekers were placed through the employment services, and over half of the persons registered with the employment services participated in voluntary work. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the means by which employment services contribute towards the attainment of employment policy objectives.

3. Vocational training. The Committee notes that in 2007, 27,800 unemployed persons underwent training and retraining. The Government indicates that the labour market is currently suffering from a shortage of qualified middle management, and is accordingly seeking to promote training of highly qualified middle management as a matter of priority. In this regard, the Committee notes that an International Labour Forum was convened in Rudny, Kostanay Oblast which sought to review experience in the country of the organization of management training to discuss questions and problems of vocational training of specialists through public–private partnerships in the training of managers. As a result of this Forum, an agreement was concluded between the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, Education and Science and the National Chamber of Economics, and the Atameken Union on the training of competitive national managers 2008–10. The aim of the agreement is to secure the participation of businesses in the implementation of the state programme for the development of technical and vocational education in Kazakhstan 2008–12. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes and the measures taken to ensure that the skills acquired through such training programmes meet the demands of the labour market.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. The Government indicates that Chapter 28 of the Labour Code establishes the right of representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations to consultations and the conclusion of agreements on employment issues, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide more practical information on the manner in which representatives of the social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are consulted concerning employment policies, and what steps are taken to ensure that their views are fully taken into account and how such cooperation is secured for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for such policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2008. The Government indicates that it has been implementing the Kazakhstan Poverty Reduction Programme 2003–05, the Social Reform in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2005–07, the Employment Programme 2005–07, and is presently in the process of implementing the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10. The action plan helps to coordinate measures to implement state policy on support for productive employment, social protection for the unemployed and reducing the unemployment rate by increasing active expressions of employment policy. The Government indicates that as a result of such efforts to implement the aforementioned programmes, the labour market has demonstrated an improvement. In this regard, the Committee notes that the level of employment increased from 91.9 per cent in 2005 to 93.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2008, while unemployment fell from 8.1 per cent to 6.6 per cent respectively. Between 2005 and 2007, over 240,000 new jobs were created a year, half of which were in the rural areas. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the measures implemented in the context of the action plan to improve the employment system in Kazakhstan 2008–10, and effectiveness of such measures in realizing the objectives of the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to include information on the impact of the measures taken to ensure productive employment to vulnerable categories of workers, such as women, young persons, older workers, and workers with disabilities.

2. Role of employment services in employment promotion. The Committee notes that, among other things, the national employment policy is aimed at organizing labour intermediation through authorized bodies and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that one out of two jobseekers were placed through the employment services, and over half of the persons registered with the employment services participated in voluntary work. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the means by which employment services contribute towards the attainment of employment policy objectives.

3. Vocational training. The Committee notes that in 2007, 27,800 unemployed persons underwent training and retraining. The Government indicates that the labour market is currently suffering from a shortage of qualified middle management, and is accordingly seeking to promote training of highly qualified middle management as a matter of priority. In this regard, the Committee notes that an International Labour Forum was convened in Rudny, Kostanay Oblast which sought to review experience in the country of the organization of management training to discuss questions and problems of vocational training of specialists through public–private partnerships in the training of managers. As a result of this Forum, an agreement was concluded between the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, Education and Science and the National Chamber of Economics, and the Atameken Union on the training of competitive national managers 2008–10. The aim of the agreement is to secure the participation of businesses in the implementation of the state programme for the development of technical and vocational education in Kazakhstan 2008–12. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the results of its technical and vocational training programmes and the measures taken to ensure that the skills acquired through such training programmes meet the demands of the labour market.

4. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in employment policy design and implementation. The Government indicates that Chapter 28 of the Labour Code establishes the right of representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations to consultations and the conclusion of agreements on employment issues, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide more practical information on the manner in which representatives of the social partners (including representatives of the rural sector and the informal economy) are consulted concerning employment policies, and what steps are taken to ensure that their views are fully taken into account and how such cooperation is secured for the purposes of formulating and enlisting support for such policies.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in February 2006 indicating that the employment rate rose from 90.7 to 92.2 per cent between 2002 and the third quarter of 2005, whereas the unemployment rate fell from 9.3 to 7.8 per cent over the same period. These figures represent the creation of more than 850,000 jobs, 50 per cent of which were in rural areas. The Committee notes that in 2005 the Government put in place a Public Employment Programme for 2005-07 to promote productive employment and reduce levels of unemployment by initiating active policies such as public works projects, vocational training and job placement. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the implementation and effects of the Public Employment Programme on the creation of productive employment. Please also provide details on how the objectives of the Convention are incorporated into the following government initiatives:

–      Strategy for the Development of Kazakhstan (until 2030);

–      Strategy for Innovative Industrial Development (2003-15);

–      Governmental Programme for the Development of Rural Areas
(2004-10);

–      Governmental Education Programme.

2. Coordination of employment policy and poverty reduction. The Committee notes that the Government adopted a new Programme to Reduce Poverty for 2003-05. The Government is asked to supply information in its next report on the measures taken within this new programme to ensure that the goals of full and productive employment and decent work for all, including for women and young people, are central to the Government’s poverty reduction strategy. Please also provide information on the specific employment creation outcomes of this poverty reduction strategy.

3. Employment services and vocational training. The Government indicates in its report that one out of every two people who resort to employment services is able to find work, with more than half of the people registered taking part in public works. The Committee notes in this context that training, retraining and upgrading services were offered to over 26,900 unemployed people completing vocational training programmes in 2004. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the number of individuals benefiting from its employment services and participating in vocational training, paying particular attention to the rates of successful job placement. The Government is further asked to include information on measures taken to match education and training policies to actual labour market demand. In this context, the Committee also refers to its 2006 comments on the application of the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88).

4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Social Partnership Act envisages the right of employers’ and workers’ organizations to carry out consultations and conclude agreements through their representatives in order to promote employment and the vocational training and retraining of workers. Similarly, one of the stated objectives of State policy is to ensure that the social partners and civil associations take part in the elaboration and implementation of employment policies. In this context, the Committee asks the Government to provide specific information on the consultations held and agreements reached in cooperation with the social partners pertaining to matters covered by the Convention, as well as information on how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of elaborating and implementing the Government’s employment policy (Article 3 of the Convention).

5. ILO technical assistance. The Committee recalls from the Government’s indication in its previous report that the ILO should play a key role in coordinating the activities of international organizations within the field of employment for countries in economic transition and in preventing unnecessary duplication of employment programmes. It asks the Government to report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, both at the national and subregional levels (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in February 2006 indicating that the employment rate rose from 90.7 to 92.2 per cent between 2002 and the third quarter of 2005, whereas the unemployment rate fell from 9.3 to 7.8 per cent over the same period. These figures represent the creation of more than 850,000 jobs, 50 per cent of which were in rural areas. The Committee notes that in 2005 the Government put in place a Public Employment Programme for 2005-07 to promote productive employment and reduce levels of unemployment by initiating active policies such as public works projects, vocational training and job placement. The Committee asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the implementation and effects of the Public Employment Programme on the creation of productive employment. Please also provide details on how the objectives of the Convention are incorporated into the following government initiatives:

–      Strategy for the Development of Kazakhstan (until 2030);

–      Strategy for Innovative Industrial Development (2003-15);

–      Governmental Programme for the Development of Rural Areas (2004-10);

–      Governmental Education Programme.

2. Coordination of employment policy and poverty reduction. The Committee notes that the Government adopted a new Programme to Reduce Poverty for 2003-05. The Government is asked to supply information in its next report on the measures taken within this new programme to ensure that the goals of full and productive employment and decent work for all, including for women and young people, are central to the Government’s poverty reduction strategy. Please also provide information on the specific employment creation outcomes of this poverty reduction strategy.

3. Employment services and vocational training. The Government indicates in its report that one out of every two people who resort to employment services is able to find work, with more than half of the people registered taking part in public works. The Committee notes in this context that training, retraining and upgrading services were offered to over 26,900 unemployed people completing vocational training programmes in 2004. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the number of individuals benefiting from its employment services and participating in vocational training, paying particular attention to the rates of successful job placement. The Government is further asked to include information on measures taken to match education and training policies to actual labour market demand. In this context, the Committee also refers to its 2006 comments on the application of the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88).

4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Social Partnership Act envisages the right of employers’ and workers’ organizations to carry out consultations and conclude agreements through their representatives in order to promote employment and the vocational training and retraining of workers. Similarly, one of the stated objectives of State policy is to ensure that the social partners and civil associations take part in the elaboration and implementation of employment policies. In this context, the Committee asks the Government to provide specific information on the consultations held and agreements reached in cooperation with the social partners pertaining to matters covered by the Convention, as well as information on how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of elaborating and implementing the Government’s employment policy (Article 3 of the Convention).

5. ILO technical assistance. The Committee recalls from the Government’s indication in its previous report that the ILO should play a key role in coordinating the activities of international organizations within the field of employment for countries in economic transition and in preventing unnecessary duplication of employment programmes. It asks the Government to report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention, both at the national and subregional levels (Part V of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s first report received in January 2002 on the measures taken under the Constitution of 1995 to promote the right of every person to freedom of work and to social protection from unemployment. The Government also mentions its programme to combat poverty and unemployment for 2000-02, in particular through micro loans. It indicates that since the launch of the programme, 23,000 micro-loans have been issued, creating an estimated 70,000 new jobs. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive in the Government’s next report further indications on the elaboration of an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention). Please also provide information on the effects noted or expected on employment as a result of implementation of the Government’s programme to combat poverty and unemployment.

2. Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a). Please also include in the Government’s next report information on decision-making procedures on employment policy measures and their regular review within the framework of the overall economic and social policy. The Committee recalls that, as requested by Article 2 of the Convention, the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for deciding on measures of employment policy. The measures of employment policy have to be decided and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Government mentions in its report that under the Social Partnership Act consultations and agreements are engaged between employers’ and workers’ representatives on issues of employment promotion, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee would appreciate receiving more details on the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention. Please indicate how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of the elaboration and implementation of the employment policy.

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes with interest that the Government considers that the ILO should play a key role in coordinating the activities of international organizations within the field of employment for countries in economic transition and in preventing unnecessary duplication of employment programmes. Please report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention, both at national and subregional levels.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2003 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s first report received in January 2002 on the measures taken under the Constitution of 1995 to promote the right of every person to freedom of work and to social protection from unemployment. The Government also mentions its programme to combat poverty and unemployment for 2000-02, in particular through micro loans. It indicates that since the launch of the programme, 23,000 micro-loans have been issued, creating an estimated 70,000 new jobs. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive in the Government’s next report further indications on the elaboration of an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention). Please also provide information on the effects noted or expected on employment as a result of implementation of the Government’s programme to combat poverty and unemployment.

2. Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a). Please also include in the Government’s next report information on decision-making procedures on employment policy measures and their regular review within the framework of the overall economic and social policy. The Committee recalls that, as requested by Article 2 of the Convention, the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for deciding on measures of employment policy. The measures of employment policy have to be decided and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Government mentions in its report that under the Social Partnership Act consultations and agreements are engaged between employers’ and workers’ representatives on issues of employment promotion, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee would appreciate receiving more details on the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention. Please indicate how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of the elaboration and implementation of the employment policy.

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes with interest that the Government considers that the ILO should play a key role in coordinating the activities of international organizations within the field of employment for countries in economic transition and in preventing unnecessary duplication of employment programmes. Please report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention, both at national and subregional levels.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s first report received in January 2002 on the measures taken under the Constitution of 1995 to promote the right of every person to freedom of work and to social protection from unemployment. The Government also mentions its programme to combat poverty and unemployment for 2000-02, in particular through micro loans. It indicates that since the launch of the programme, 23,000 micro-loans have been issued, creating an estimated 70,000 new jobs. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive in the Government’s next report further indications on the elaboration of an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention). Please also provide information on the effects noted or expected on employment as a result of implementation of the Government’s programme to combat poverty and unemployment.

2. Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a). Please also include in the Government’s next report information on decision-making procedures on employment policy measures and their regular review within the framework of the overall economic and social policy. The Committee recalls that, as requested by Article 2 of the Convention, the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for deciding on measures of employment policy. The measures of employment policy have to be decided and kept under review within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

3. Article 3. The Government mentions in its report that under the Social Partnership Act consultations and agreements are engaged between employers’ and workers’ representatives on issues of employment promotion, vocational training and retraining of workers. The Committee would appreciate receiving more details on the tripartite consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention. Please indicate how the social partners and other persons concerned are involved in the process of the elaboration and implementation of the employment policy.

4. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes with interest that the Government considers that the ILO should play a key role in coordinating the activities of international organizations within the field of employment for countries in economic transition and in preventing unnecessary duplication of employment programmes. Please report on the action taken as a result of the involvement of the ILO in providing technical assistance for the implementation of an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention, both at national and subregional levels.