Kazakhstan ratifies the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1979 (No. 131)

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

Geneva (ILO News) - On 19 December 2025, the Government of Kazakhstan deposited with the Director-General of the ILO the instrument of ratification of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131).

In depositing the instrument of ratification, H.E. Amb. Erzhan Kazykhan stated that: “This step reflects our country's strong commitment to the principles of social justice, decent work, and social dialogue, which lie at the heart of the ILO's mandate. The minimum wage is not just an economic tool. Above all, it is a social protection mechanism aimed at reducing inequality, supporting vulnerable categories of workers, and ensuring fair remuneration for work. The ratification of Convention No. 131 confirms Kazakhstan's commitment to developing wage policies based on transparent criteria that take into account socio-economic realities, in close cooperation with social partners. Kazakhstan highly values its cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its expert support in the field of labour and social reforms and views the ratification of the Convention as the beginning of a new phase in our cooperation.”

In receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, welcomed this important ratification, declaring that: “The Minimum Wage Fixing Convention (No. 131), conceived as an effective anti-poverty tool, requests Member States to establish a system of minimum wages which covers all groups of wage earners, at levels that consider the needs of workers and their families as well as economic factors such as state of economic development and productivity. It calls on Member States to fully consult with social partners on the establishment and application of the minimum wage fixing machinery and, where appropriate, allow them to participate directly in the application of this machinery. Kazakhstan is already bound by the Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26). By ratifying Convention No. 131, Kazakhstan is taking a further step forward in its commitment to the objective of ensuring that all workers, as a matter of right, receive protection against unacceptably low wages. Kazakhstan becomes the 57th country to ratify this Convention.”

With the ratification of Convention No. 131, Kazakhstan has now ratified 26 Conventions.

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