The Minister of labor and social protection of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Svetlana Zhakupova spoke at a briefing in the Central Communications Service under the President of the RK. She informed about the implementation of the orders of the Head of the State, given in the Address to the People of Kazakhstan dated by 1st of September this year, and on the eve of the Day of Older persons told about the measures of social support for the older generation of Kazakhstanis.

In her speech, Svetlana Zhakupova noted that the Ministry of labor and social protection of the population (hereinafter – MLSPP) is actively working to implement the orders of the Head of the State.

"In order to reduce the level of occupational injuries, a draft Concept of safe work until 2030 has been developed. In particular, it is proposed to introduce a new model for assessing occupational risks in the workplace, differentiation of the insurance tariff according to the degree of occupational risk, creation of a Digital map of enterprises and the introduction of a proactive format of state control and monitoring in the field of occupational safety, and more.

    In order to increase the level of social protection of people working in harmful working conditions, MLSPP is working on the subject of introducing a special social payment for this category of citizens from the age of 55 until reaching retirement age," she said.

The Minister added that in order to increase the incomes of the population from January 1, 2024, the minimum wage (hereinafter – the MW) will be increased from 70 to 85 thousand tenge. According to this, will grow the monetary incomes of about 1.8 million employees working in all industries at enterprises of various forms of ownership, including about 350 thousand state employees.

In addition, in pursuance of the order of the Head of the State, the MLSPP together with experts from the World Bank, has developed a Methodology for determining the minimum wage, according to which the size of the MW will be determined based on the median wages and labor productivity.

At the same time, the MLSPP together with the interested state bodies, is working on mechanisms for protecting the labor and social rights of citizens working in the field of platform employment.

A draft Comprehensive plan for the development of the labor market is also being developed, which will be submitted to the Government for consideration in October this year.

During the briefing, Svetlana Zhakupova informed about the measures of social support for the elderly.

"Every year around the world, including Kazakhstan, the International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on October 1, which was proclaimed at the 45th session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990. Its main purpose is to show respect and recognition of the merits of elderly people in front of the state and society, as well as to draw attention to their problems and needs, the need to improve the quality of life, the manifestation of total care for them," said the head of the MLSPP.

Today, more than 2.3 million old-age pensioners live in Kazakhstan. The State consistently takes measures of social protection of older people, including those aimed at improving the pension system.

Thus, the size of the basic pension payment and state social benefits are indexed annually to the level of inflation, and the size of the solidarity pension - is ahead of the inflation rate by 2%.

"Since January 1, 2023, as part of the annual indexation, the size of the basic pension has increased by 8.5%, solidary pensions – by 10.5%. In addition, on behalf of the Head of the State in 2023: the amount of the minimum basic pension has been increased from 54% to 60% of the subsistence minimum; the amount of the maximum income accepted for calculating the solidarity pension has been increased from 46 to 55 monthly calculation indices. As a result of the increase, as of September 1, 2023, the average size of the total pension amounted to 120,937 tenge, including the size of the solidarity pension – 83,072 tenge, the basic pension – 37,865 tenge.

In addition, until 2027, the minimum amount of the basic pension will be gradually increased to 70%, and the maximum – up to 120% of the subsistence minimum," said Svetlana Zhakupova.

At the same time, the MLSPP is implementing measures to support the elderly, increase the level of their social services, and involve them in public life.

"79 active longevity centers have been opened and are actively functioning in the republic, which operate on the principle of "one window" in three directions: active longevity, health culture and public relations. The activities of the centers are aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly, stimulating productive and active longevity, ensuring independence for the elderly, participation in the life of Kazakh society," noted the head of the MLSPP.

The Minister added that a month of social support for the elderly, as well as people with disabilities, will be organized in each region. Akims of regions, cities and districts, heads of enterprises and organizations will hold events on social support of older citizens, meetings in labor collectives, open days in outpatient organizations and others.

In addition, by the Day of the Older persons (October 1) in Astana, in Karaganda, Mangystau, Turkestan regions, Zhetysu and Ulytau regions, as well as by the Republic Day (October 25) in Akmola and Pavlodar regions, one-time financial assistance will be provided to older people in the amount from 2 to 10 MCI with coverage of more than 234 thousand people with the amount of about 1.9 billion tenge.

Festive food baskets will be presented in honor of the Day of the Older persons in Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Turkestan regions, Abai and Ulytau regions.

In general, during this year, taking into account the capabilities of local budgets and within the framework of the social responsibility of business, about 4.6 billion tenge was allocated for social support of senior citizens (of which 4.1 billion tenge was allocated from the local budget, 0.5 billion tenge from the raised funds), including: 179.4 million tenge for the provision of food packages (25.2 thousand people); for preferential drug provision – 9.3 million tenge (2.9 thousand people); for dental prosthetics – 118.9 million tenge (1.6 thousand people); for the provision of sanatorium treatment - 2 billion tenge (19.3 thousand people); for housing repairs – 7.3 million tenge (257 people); for providing fuel – 37.5 million tenge (2.1 thousand people); for providing preferential travel on public transport – 1.6 billion tenge (155.1 thousand people); for other types of assistance – 635.6 million tenge (61.1 thousand people).

Source: Internet resource MLSPP RK https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/enbek/press/news/details/625385?lang=ru