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

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

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

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

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.