Positive effect for all parties of social partnership expected as outcome of Safe Labor Concept implementation - Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
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Pursuant to the instruction of the Head of State, given in the Address to the people of Kazakhstan from September 1, 2023 "Economic course of Fair Kazakhstan", the Concept of safe labor in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2024-2030 was developed. The purpose of the document is to improve the quality of working life of workers and saving labor resources. on the main aspects of the Concept at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov told the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Svetlana Zhakupova, primeminister.kz reports.
According to her, the Concept provides for new approaches to systematic improvement of working conditions of employees based on factor analysis of the current situation and world trends in the field of labor protection management.
The Concept provides for 4 main directions of development of the labor protection management system, including:
- modernization of the national occupational safety and health system (OSHMS) based on a risk-oriented approach;
- economic incentives for measures to reduce occupational risk at workplaces;
- development of professional competencies and scientific potential;
- increasing the efficiency of control and monitoring in the field of labor protection.
The key indicators of safe labor are indicators of occupational injuries and occupational diseases.
Analysis of the current state in the field of labor safety shows that there is a tendency of growth of such indicators from year to year. According to official statistical information, in 2022 the number of occupational injuries compared to 2021 increased by 15% and occupational diseases by 8%. Occupational injuries and occupational diseases are the result of working in harmful working conditions, including working conditions that do not meet sanitary and hygienic standards, heavy labor and unsafe equipment," Svetlana Zhakupova stated.
Taking into account the identified problematic issues, a set of the following measures will be implemented as part of the modernization of the national occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS):
First, normative and methodological support of the new classification and assessment of working conditions. This will make it possible to identify the complex impact of harmful factors in the production environment.
Second, specialized organizations that conduct occupational risk assessment will be required to:
- accreditation of laboratory and equipment;
- certification of experts in occupational risk assessment;
- mandatory integration with the Ministry's information system and provision of assessment results via a mobile application.
Third, establishing the responsibility of specialized organizations through automated monitoring in the Ministry's information system with exclusion from the register in case of revealing the results of poor quality assessment.
Application of the matrix method of distribution and ranking of personal protective equipment on the basis of a specific hazardous factor will simplify the employer's choice of PPE. It will also make it possible to move away from the current standardized norms and provide employees with means of protection against risks specific to a particular workplace.
The introduction of the risk-based approach will be accompanied by full-scale digitalization through the integration of information systems for monitoring working conditions. A Digital Map of enterprises has already been created, which will allow real-time monitoring of working conditions from July 1, 2024.
The costs of ensuring safe labor are mostly related to the provision of social guarantees to employees engaged in harmful working conditions. For these purposes in 2022, employers allocated more than 227 billion tenge. Over the past 3 years, these costs have increased by 47%," the Minister said.
The current guarantees for employees do not take into account the actual working conditions and do not encourage employers to improve them. As a result, a compensatory model of social protection of employees has been formed, which provides for a list approach to the provision of guarantees to employees. In addition, there is a low interest of employers to insure employees against accidents. Today only 54% of employees are insured.
Within the framework of measures to transform the mechanism for the presentation of guarantees, a new procedure for determining the types and amounts, including a proactive format for their assignment based on the assessment of pro-risk will be established. It is necessary to introduce new financial and economic measures to increase the employer's contribution to improving working conditions. In this regard, methodological approaches to economic planning of labor protection costs, as well as assessment of its effectiveness will be developed, with the introduction of an online application for budgeting costs," the head of the social department said.
That is, the preventive orientation of the system of compulsory accident insurance will be expanded, which will ensure the achievement of key insurance objectives: the validity of the tariff, compliance with the sum insured, completeness of data to establish the risk.
The implementation of these measures will ensure full coverage of employees, taking into account the targeting and systematic nature of the guarantees provided to them, and employers - to increase the efficiency of investment in improving working conditions.
One of the causes of high occupational injuries is deficiencies in safe labor training. In 2022, this was the cause of 20% of accidents, shortage of qualified personnel, lack of responsibility of training centers for the quality of training. At the same time, the lack of records does not allow to track the number of labor safety specialists, to assess the level of their education. In order to address these issues, it is planned to differentiate the procedures of training and testing of knowledge on labor protection with the creation of an online platform," the Minister said.
Requirements for training centers will be strengthened, and a Unified Training and Methodological Center will be established, one of the functions of which will be to develop standard training programs and control questions for knowledge testing.
Among the innovations is the coverage of mandatory advanced training for state and technical inspectors of labor protection, managers and members of Production Councils.
At the same time, there is low interest in obtaining education in the field of labor protection. Every year only about a thousand applicants choose the direction of "Hygiene and occupational health and safety at work", which subsequently affects the shortage of qualified personnel. In order to resolve this problem it is proposed to implement a number of measures aimed at improving the image of the profession of labor safety engineer, including in the framework of career guidance work with an increase in the volume of educational grants," Zhakupova said.
According to the head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, an important role in ensuring safe labor is given to monitoring of labor conditions in the country, which is implemented through state and departmental statistical recording of indicators, state, public and internal control. There is a lack of interconnection and joint work between these types of accounting and control.
Today there is no reliable statistical information on the state of labor conditions, there is low coverage of enterprises by state and public control. The selection of the subject of control is carried out manually based on the results of previous inspections and the type of activity of the enterprise. The realization of the task to improve the effectiveness of control and monitoring in the field of labor protection will be carried out through automated information systems, digital platform and mobile application for the assessment of profrisks," the Minister said.
For this purpose, the forms of state and departmental statistics on labor protection will be updated with the introduction of indicators that adequately reflect the state of working conditions, with simplification of the data collection system.
A mechanism of preventive state control will be introduced by comparing data obtained from various sources of information. An expert examination of the results of the assessment of risks at enterprises after the occurrence of an accident will be introduced. This will make it possible to focus state control and monitoring on high-risk areas, take preventive measures in time and avoid negative consequences. A positive effect is expected from strengthening the powers of state labor inspectors, as well as trade unions in terms of public control.
As part of the introduction of additional mechanisms of social protection of workers employed in hazardous working conditions, special social payments will be introduced on the instructions of the Head of State from January 1, 2024.
Employees who have reached the age of 55 and for whom compulsory professional pension contributions have been transferred for at least 7 years are entitled to these payments.
The key condition for the payment is the cessation of work in harmful working conditions. Employment measures will be offered to such workers.
The special social payment will be made from 4 sources, including:
- special professional state benefit in the amount of 2 monthly wages;
- insurance payment under the pre-retirement annuity insurance contract in the amount of 1 monthly salary;
- professional payment at the expense of the employer in the amount of 1 monthly wage;
- pension payment from the Unified National Pension Fund, taking into account accruals.
Employees will receive a special social payment until they reach retirement age.
As a result of the Concept implementation, a positive effect is expected for all parties of social partnership.
For employees - improvement of the quality of life and health saving.
For employers - economic interest in creating safe workplaces and increasing labor productivity.
For the state - increased socio-economic development and competitiveness of the country.
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Kazakh Foreign Ministry comments on situation in Ukraine
The Embassy of Kazakhstan operates as usual in Ukraine, Aibek Smadiyarov, official spokesperson of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said Friday, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to our information, the foreign diplomatic corps continues its work in Kyiv, with no plans to evacuate citizens. There have been no evacuation requests and there are no plans to arrange special flights at this moment, said Aibek Smadiyarov, while talking about the situation in Ukraine. 'As you know, military activities in Ukraine have been underway for more than one year. According to our estimates, there may be around 300 citizens of Kazakhstan staying in the country. However, it’s difficult to give the exact number due to the situation in the country'.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry added that earlier Kazakhstani nationals, staying in Ukraine, were advised to leave the country.
Smadiyarov noted that Kazakhstani diplomats are ready to provide all necessary assistance to their compatriots, assuring to act as the situation evolves.
Earlier it was reported that Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave urgent tasks over the escalation of the situation in Ukraine.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held an operational meeting today to fulfill the tasks of the Head of State to take urgent measures in order to ensure security at the key military and civilian objects over the situation in Ukraine, involving the Defense, Interior, Emergencies, Foreign Affairs, Healthcare, Transport, Energy, Industry and Construction, National Economy and Finance Ministries.
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Kazakh Government to allocate KZT 10 bln to buy grain from farmers
At the Agriculture's Workers Forum, the Head of State assigned the Government to buy grain directly from farmers through the ProdCorporation in a volume sufficient to keep reasonable market prices. Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparbayev revealed the Kazakh Government will allocate 10 billion tenge from the reserves to acquire 150,000 tons of grain, Kazinform News Agency reports.
It will be bought through the ProdCorporation to restore the plunge in the grain purchasing process.
He said five export contracts worth 20 million US dollars have already been concluded.
Besides, grain shipping subsidy rules are to be adopted soon. Subsidies are expected to reduce freight charges to the ports of the Black Sea, the Baltics, Southeast Asia, etc., to make the country’s grain competitive in Europe, Africa, Caucasus, and other promising markets.
As earlier reported, the country’s first-ever Agriculture Workers’ Forum took place in Astana on November 15. The Minister highlighted Kazakhstan harvested a record-high 26.7 million tons of grain in 2024.
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Olzhas Bektenov checks implementation of President's instructions on employment and development of social infrastructure in Kyzylorda region
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Within the framework of his working trip to Kyzylorda region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov checked the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State given in his Address to improve the welfare and quality of life of villagers within the framework of the programme "Auyl Amanaty", diversification of the economy through the development of agro-industrial complex, as well as modernization of social infrastructure facilities to provide residents with quality educational services, primeminister.kz reports.
In Besaryk village of Syrdarya district Prime Minister got acquainted with successful examples of implementation of "Auyl Amanaty" programme and social responsibility of business. Abai Daulet’ LLP has created a production site, where 13 business initiatives of villagers for 318.2 million tenge have been implemented. Shops for production of semi-finished products, plastic utensils, wood products, textile, confectionery products, soap, etc. have been opened. Olzhas Bektenov familiarised himself with the line of products manufactured by villagers.
For wide dissemination of positive experience the work on opening of similar business incubators in at least 3-4 villages of each district of the region is underway.
In total in Kyzylorda region in the framework of the programme ‘Auyl Amanaty’ this year implemented 575 projects in the manufacturing industry, livestock, crop production and other promising areas with the creation of 610 jobs.
On the example of the plant "Kaz Fries" the head of the Government was presented measures to unlock the potential in the field of deep processing of agricultural products. The capacity of the enterprise is up to 150 kg of fries per hour, the finished products are frozen and sold in the domestic market. Director of "Abai-Daulet" LLP Murat Sarsenbaev informed about plans to further expand the production capacity of the multi-profile company engaged in crop production, poultry farming, livestock breeding and production of construction products.
It is important to note that the partnership makes a great contribution to the development of the village. For these purposes, the company has allocated more than 1.5 billion tenge since 2018. The funds are used for landscaping, gardening, repair of social facilities: a school for 360 places, a kindergarten for 120 places and a doctor's outpatient clinic. The House of Culture for 150 people was overhauled this year due to sponsor support. The concept ‘Adal adam’ initiated by the President is being implemented here, aimed at educating young people in the spirit of patriotism, spirituality and morality. Children's art groups have been opened, and a musical creative group has been set up. In addition, a podcast studio has been set up in the cultural centre "Adal Adam", where topical issues of rural business development are discussed live, and viewers are introduced to the products made in local workshops.
Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the contribution of business in improving the quality of life in rural areas.
Development of the village, stimulation of productive employment, creation of quality social infrastructure are among the priority tasks of the Government. In this direction we fully support all initiatives of entrepreneurs. If each Kazakhstani village will have responsible support from those who build business on this land, then the quality of life of the population will improve more dynamically," Olzhas Bektenov noted and emphasised the need for further scaling of the experience of development of Besaryk village.
In Kyzylorda Prime Minister visited the production sites of agro-industrial complex of "Zhan Arai" LLP, where 200 jobs have been created for today. The enterprise is engaged in production of rice, mixed fodder, processing and storage of fruits and vegetables. Two factories are functioning: on production of mixed fodder with capacity of 80 tonnes of production per day and rice processing with capacity of 150 tonnes of groats per day. In addition, there is a vegetable storage capacity of 4 thousand tonnes, which allows to ensure price stability in the off-season for socially important products. The complex's products are sold in Kazakhstan and exported to countries near and far abroad such as Turkey, Iraq, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and others.
In the regional centre Olzhas Bektenov also got acquainted with the measures taken to increase the coverage of children's additional education. The new Palace of Schoolchildren, built at the expense of private investment, was put into operation in October this year. The cost of the project was 2.4 billion tenge. The social facility with a capacity of up to 350 people is provided with new equipment that promotes all-round development of schoolchildren of different ages such as hydroponics, robotics, industrial design, TV studio and others.
The Prime Minister was also informed about the measures taken in Kyzylorda region to transform the system of vocational education and training within the framework of the Year of Working Professions announced by the President. There are 28 colleges in the region, where today more than 20 thousand students are studying, of which about 5 thousand students are trained in working specialities.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, 7 training and production centres have been opened in all districts of the region. About 300 people are covered by short-term vocational training courses. The first centre was opened in 2022 on the basis of the city lyceum school. It produced 164 specialists in such in-demand professions as cook, seamstress, graphic designer and others. The experience is planned to be scaled up.
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Korkyt Ata airport terminal opened in Kyzylorda on behalf of President
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By order of the Head of State, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov took part in the opening of Korkyt Ata airport's new terminal in Kyzylorda, primeminister.kz reports.
The project, implemented within the framework of social responsibility of business, contributes to the development of trade and economic, tourism potential of the region and ensuring the availability of transport services that directly affect the quality of life of the population. The launch of the new terminal will increase the capacity of the air harbour 7 times from 300 thousand to 2 million passengers per year. The renovated Korkyt Ata terminal meets the high standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The Head of State in his Address to the Nation called the development of the transport and logistics sector a strategic priority. The new terminal of Korkyt Ata airport is an important infrastructure project not only for the region, but also for the whole of Kazakhstan. Its implementation will open additional air routes, including international ones, increase transit potential, passenger and cargo traffic, which will have a positive impact on the development of domestic tourism, trade and the economy as a whole. The Government will fully support socially-oriented initiatives of business to build modern, high-quality transport and logistics infrastructure - this is a contribution to the future of our country," Olzhas Bektenov said and thanked all those who took part and in a short time provided the launch of the project.
Head of the Government familiarised himself with the process of passenger service of domestic and international flights. The terminal with the area of 7 500 m2 is equipped with advanced technologies in the form of telescopic ladders, automated baggage inspection system and others. 20.9 billion tenge was invested in the project by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation within the framework of social responsibility. Over 4.3 billion tenge was allocated from the local budget for engineering and communication infrastructure, construction of a motorway, landscaping and lighting of the airport territory.
Bayan Ajmoldayev, Chairman of the Board of Korkyt Ata Airport JSC, reported on the timeliness of the launch of the terminal taking into account the annually growing passenger traffic in the region. Thus, for 9 months of this year the airport served 265 thousand passengers, which is 20% more than in the same period last year. There are 26 domestic flights per week (17 to Astana and 9 to Almaty). In June this year, an international charter flight to Antalya (Turkey) was launched.
First Deputy Akim of Kyzylorda region Daniyar Zhanalanov reported on plans to open additional flights to Aktau and Atyrau, as well as the inclusion in the list of socially important flights such air routes as "Kyzylorda-Kokshetau", "Kyzylorda-Aktobe", "Kyzylorda-Karaganda".
Speaking on behalf of the public of the region, the chairman of the Veterans Council of Kyzylorda region Serik Duisenbayev noted the importance of improving the quality of services and comfortable conditions created in the renovated airport for all categories of passengers
On the example of Kyzylorda region we see the positive results of measures of support of regions by the state. Today the cherished dream of our residents has come true - a new airport terminal has been opened. I would like to express my gratitude to the Head of State for the special attention given to the region, which contributes to growth in all areas," Serik Duisenbayev said.
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Kazakhstan intends to transform its drug procurement management system
Chairman of the Board of SK-Pharmacy LLP Yerken Zhakatayev reported at the Government session that in recent years the state has significantly increased the list of medicines guaranteed to be provided to patients, primeminister.kz reports.
In general, the volume of drugs and medical products purchased by the Single Distributor has increased 15 times in monetary terms compared to 2010. Today SK-Pharmacia provides medicines and medical products to more than 1.2 thousand inpatient centres and 700 polyclinics across the country. In the current year in the list of ‘SK-Pharmacy’ already 1588 names of pharmaceutical products for 480 billion tenge. Long-term contracts have been concluded with 35 domestic manufacturers for the supply of almost 4 thousand names of medicines and medical devices.
‘These indicators were achieved by centralisation of procurement, which led to the effect of price equalisation throughout the country, regardless of the distance of the region," Yerken Zhakataev noted
It was noted that medicines are supplied to medical organisations of the republic by six logistics providers. At the beginning of its activity in 2009, SK-Pharmacia had only one warehouse, which limited the possibility of timely deliveries throughout the country. Today, under the concluded contracts, there are 14 modern warehouses with a total area of about 300 thousand m3 strategically located throughout Kazakhstan and equipped with the latest systems for controlling temperature and storage conditions. This ensures the safety and security of all medicines and medical devices.
In the future it is planned to transform procurement management systems with a focus on key functional areas of the company. In particular, according to the announcement, full automation of procurement procedures from planning to purchasing will be implemented, and a unified information base will be created with further integration into the healthcare ecosystem.
We actively support the development of domestic pharmaceutical production, concluding long-term contracts with Kazakhstani manufacturers. We are confident that our systematic work to provide medical institutions with vital drugs and products contributes to the sustainable development of healthcare and improves the quality of medical care for all citizens of the country," Yerken Zhakatayev emphasised.
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New fire safety measures: Kazakhstan creates universal units for emergency situations
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Ministry for Emergency Situations is carrying out a set of measures to ensure fire safety in the country. Minister Chingis Arinov reported on this at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
Firstly, they increase operational response to emergencies and combat readiness of the Ministry's units. In a pilot project in Akmola region created a universal unit of firefighters, medics and rescuers. This allows for prompt and comprehensive rescue and first aid to the injured.
The approach to the construction of fire units has been revised. For example, since August of this year in Astana there has been functioning a fire department built in 3.5 months from fast-erecting structures. This principle of construction will be introduced in all regions. A total of 121 fire stations are required across the country.
As part of strengthening logistical support, for the first time 2 firefighting drones designed to extinguish high-rise buildings are being purchased.
This year we are buying 728 units of special vehicles, over 18 thousand equipment and gear at the expense of the republican and local budgets, as well as in leasing. The first priority is to distribute the equipment for the needs of district units. The second is practical training of the population through drills and exercises. For example, we hold drills on conditional fires of multi-storey buildings with practical evacuation of residents. In total, more than 250 such exercises have been held in the republic," the minister said.
For the first time, we are planning drills involving helicopter equipment for residents of a high-rise apartment block in Astana. The work is gradually teaching citizens self-rescue skills in case of fires, thereby increasing the level of safety culture.
Third, it is prevention in the residential sector of the country.
I would like to note that the private residential sector is beyond the control of the Ministry, we are limited only to recommendations when conducting door-to-door rounds. At the same time, often the population refuses to be consulted, not letting them into the houses. Nevertheless, we inform citizens about fire safety measures through SMS mailings, chat rooms of houses and SIS. At the same time, we are solving the issue of authorising the Ministry to accept residential high-rise buildings and objects with mass stay of people into operation," Chingis Arinov reported.
According to statistics, the main cause of fires and deaths of citizens is the malfunction of heating systems. In particular, stove heating, which is mainly in the homes of socially vulnerable population. According to the Minister, often in this category there are children's group deaths due to leaving children without adult supervision.
Given these facts, the socially vulnerable category - families with many children, persons with disabilities, lonely elderly - are under special control of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Today there are over 100 thousand houses on the books. Together with akimats and volunteers, targeted assistance is provided to all of them - installation of fire detectors and, if possible, repair of heating systems and cleaning of chimneys. Since 2021, over 107,000 sensors have been installed, which allow early warning of the danger of carbon monoxide. 55 alarms have been registered, thus preventing the death of 248 people.
The next reason is improper use of household gas, which can lead to explosions. The population refuels gas cylinders at petrol stations in violation of the Law, while the largest part of them is subject to disposal.
According to our calculations, 348 thousand gas cylinders are to be replaced. Here the housing commissions under akitams should strengthen control over compliance with safe operation of gas-consuming systems and gas equipment of household and communal consumers. I would like to note that the heating period is under special control. Subdivisions of the Ministry are ready to respond to emergencies," Chingis Arinov summarised.
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Kazakhstan spends 500.7bln tenge on pharmacological support
Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova reported on the measures taken to ensure pharmacological support of the population at today’s meeting of the Government, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to her, 474 billion tenge is spent from the national budget on the pharmacological support of outpatients and hospital patients. Local budget spending is reported to be at 26.7 billion tenge.
251 billion tenge is allocated for the provision of 3.5 million outpatients with pharmaceuticals in 120 ICD codes.
As for hospital patients, pharmaceuticals for them are bought in accordance with the centralized and independent procurement as per the National Formulary of Kazakhstan.
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