Project in Kazakhstan Successfully Completed

We have already informed about the ILO/UNDP project in Kazakhstan entitled “Decent Work: Integrated Approach to Social Sphere in Kazakhstan / Targeted Social Assistance Scheme” (see news for July 2003) and aimed at assessment and improvement of the targeted social assistance scheme (TSA) that has been recently introduced in the country

News | 19 November 2003



G. Karagussova, Minister of Labour, and P. Barret-Reid, ILO Office Director



 S. Upahdyaya gave trainings to the field and MOLSP officials working on TSA issues
We have already informed about the ILO/UNDP project in Kazakhstan entitled “Decent Work: Integrated Approach to Social Sphere in Kazakhstan / Targeted Social Assistance Scheme” (see news for July 2003) and aimed at assessment and improvement of the targeted social assistance scheme (TSA) that has been recently introduced in the country.

The project has been successfully completed and its final report was presented at the Seminar in Astana on 19 November.

The seminar was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Among its 60 participants were 30 representatives of local governments from all oblasts of Kazakhstan. Opening remarks were made by Ms. Karagussova, Minister, Ms. Barrett-Reid, ILO Moscow Director, and Ms. Islamova from the UNDP Kazakhstan delivering the speech on behalf of the UNDP Kazakhstan Resident Representative Mr. Firket Aucura.

Main findings of the project were delivered at the Session 3. The session started with the presentation by Ms. Barrett-Reid addressing the comprehensive analysis of international experience on social assistance by pointing out their communaties and potential applicability to the situation in Kazakhstan. Presentation by Mr. Upadhyaya, lead consultant, on subsistence minimum and poverty line issues were delivered as main findings of the project, followed by the presentation by Ms. Behrendt on European case (German in particular) of social assistance representing one of country case compiled in Volume 2 of the Final Report.

By taking this occasion, on 20 November a Roundtable on Decent Work Approach in Kazakhstan was organized for the purpose of discussing with MOLSP and the social partners to review and refine the scope of DW approach towards Kazakhstan by the ILO Moscow. In parallel with the Roundtable, Mr. Upahdyaya gave trainings to the field and MOLSP officials working on TSA issues.

The TSA Project has already given positive results: MOLSP has applied the ILO recommendations and expressed the willingness to amend the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On State Targeted Social Assistance (TSA)" accordingly. In addition, suggestions on subsistence minimum methodology also will be applied for elaboration of legal acts related to improvement of social normative.

The ILO-Kazakhstan cooperation will continue. In the field of social protection and social security, agendas being requested by MOLSP for the period of 2004-2006 include: technical assistance in developing social protection programme for pre-retirement age generation; social budgeting; introduction of pension scheme model, trainings on actuarial and budgeting exercise; consultation of actuarial analysis for accumulated pension system and social insurance; and improvement of social standards system.