Enhanced requirements for subsidized jobs enforced in Kazakhstan
Tightened Employer Requirements for Subsidized Workplace Program in Kazakhstan
In an effort to curb corruption and secure constant employment opportunities for citizens, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan has announced new strict criteria for employers participating in the Subsidized Workplace Program (SWP), as reported by Vechernyaya Astana.
The current process of application submission, contract signing, and attendance tracking for SWP participants has been automated. However, upon review, the Ministry acknowledged the need for further improvement in some areas of SWP tools.
One major concern identified is the compilation of the List of Employers Organizing Subsidized Workplaces, which is done by labor mobility centers using data from career centers, leaving room for individual decision-making. Such subjective choices have led to cases of favoritism, workplace trading, and corruption.
In response, the ministry has prepared amendments to the relevant order. To be eligible for SWP, employers must adhere to the following requirements:
- Hold the status of an active legal entity or individual entrepreneur registered in Kazakhstan.
- Have been in operation for over 12 months at the time of the SWP application.
- Have no outstanding wage debt at the application time.
- Regularly make social payments for employees in the previous 12 months.
- Not be on the list of unreliable taxpayers of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan.
- Fulfill all obligations under previous SWP contracts concluded with labor mobility centers.
- Not be subject to bankruptcy or liquidation.
These requirements will be automatically checked upon application on the Electronic Labor Exchange, with workplaces allocated based on the number of employees.
Furthermore, employers who have received state subsidies for organizing SWPs will have to ensure the continued employment of at least 10% of the hired unemployed workers in the future. This requirement aims to maintain stable employment for citizens completing subsidized jobs.
To avoid double funding from the state and increase the targeting of support measures, certain restrictions are being imposed on employers. Those who provide special social services, offer services or work within state procurements for infrastructure projects will not be allowed to participate in organizing SWPs.
In 2025, labor mobility centers with COSSU signed contracts to organize SWPs for 3,800 people, amounting to 519.8 million tenge. Out of these, 919 people were employed, with 60.8 million tenge spent from the budget for their wages. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, along with the akimats, worked with COSSU to ensure the continuous employment of SWP participants. This initiative resulted in a savings of 212.6 million tenge, which will be redistributed for employment support measures.
To provide state support to people from needy categories, reduce dependence, and employ them on SWPs once within two years, except for certain groups. This exclusion applies to those living in rural areas or small towns, or socially vulnerable groups living in monocities and cities. Socially vulnerable groups include people with disabilities, recipients of targeted social assistance, recipients of social payments for loss of breadwinner, settlers, candas, people raising a child with a disability (children with disabilities), and recipients of monthly state allowances for large families.
With these measures, the Kazakhstan government aims to strike a balance between reducing corruption risks and ensuring stable employment opportunities for citizens.
[1] Kazakhstan's Labor Laws: http://www.mobility.gov.kz/ru/resources/documents_library/laws[2] Incentives for Employment in Kazakhstan: https://www.kazakhstaninvest.gov.kz/eng/incentives-support-measures.html
In response to concerns regarding favoritism and corruption in the Subsidized Workplace Program (SWP), the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan has proposed amendments to the order, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for employers. These criteria include having a registered status, an operational history, no outstanding wage debt, regular social payments, no record of unreliable taxpayers, and fulfillment of previous SWP contract obligations.
The implementation of these requirements is intended to mitigate corruption risks and secure stable employment opportunities for citizens, while also preventing double funding and enhancing the targeting of support measures in business and finance, as well as in the broader context of general-news and politics.
