SOUTH AFRICAN CAPITAL’s BIGGEST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED A REFLECTION TO THE KAZAKH PRESIDENT’s SONA
Tshwane, 21 September 2021. Pretoria News, the biggest newspaper in the capital of South Africa, the city of Pretoria, published on 20 September 2021 a reflection to the State of the Nation Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan delivered on 1 September 2021 under the theme, “UNITY OF THE PEOPLE AND SYSTEMIC REFORMS ARE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE NATION'S PROSPERITY”, as well as the corresponding infographics.
The full text of the publication is as follows:
KAZAKHSTANI STATE IS IN LINE FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, REGIONAL POLICY, LABOUR MARKET, AND POLITICAL MODERNISATION
These improvements will be realised if the country follows the plans unveiled by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his recent State of the Nation Address. The theme of his address was: "Unity of the people and systemic reforms as a solid foundation for the country's prosperity".
In his Address, the Head of Kazakhstani State came up with several initiatives aimed at further developing the country in the post-pandemic period and set goals for further years.
These initiatives include increasing the efficiency of healthcare systems, providing quality education, improving regional policy, creating a proper environment in the labour market, further political modernization, including protecting human rights and consolidating society.
Addressing the People of Kazakhstan, the President noted: “This year marks the 30th Anniversary of our country’s attaining its cherished Freedom. In unity and harmony, we were able to build a new state – this is our main achievement”. Independence is indeed the highest value of Kazakhstan. Thanks to the wise policy of H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev – the First President and the Leader of the Nation (Elbasy) – Kazakhstan has achieved significant success and became known all over the world.
“We have strengthened the spirit of our nation by laying a solid foundation for its development. We have become an influential member of the world community.
Thanks to the stability in our society, ably led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev we have taken the path of sustainable progress. We are building a strong state together. Sovereignty is not just empty slogans or big words” – said President Tokayev.
As it was underlined by the President of Kazakhstan, “The most important thing is for every Kazakhstani citizen to feel the fruits of Independence. The main ones of which are a peaceful life, social harmony, an increase in the well-being of the people, and the confidence of young people in their future. All undertakings are aimed at making every Kazakhstani citizen enjoy the fruits of Independence”.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also said his main priorities were the well-being of all Kazakhstanis. In that regard, His Excellency announced that the Government will increase the minimum wage from 1 January 2022. This measure will directly affect more than one million people, and indirectly – all the Kazakhstani toiling masses. The President also increased the wage fund, which over the past 10 years has lagged behind the profits of business owners by almost 60%.
In this context, the government has been instructed to develop ‘soft’ measures to stimulate businesses to increase the wages of their employees. For employers raising salaries of employees, benefits will be provided in the framework of regulated purchases, as well as preferential access to state support. The Head of State proposed to introduce a single payment from the wage fund for micro and small businesses with a decrease in the total load from 34% to 25%.
This will stimulate the business to ‘bring out of the shadows’ thousands of employees, who can become full-fledged participants in the pension system, social and health insurance system. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instruction to increase annually the wages of several categories of public sector employees (employees of cultural institutions, archives, libraries, etc.) by 20% from 2022 to 2025 is a welcome move. About 600 000 Kazakhstanis will feel the effect of the implementation of this initiative.
The President considers it necessary to allow the transfer of a part of pension savings above the sufficiency threshold to an account in the Otbasy Bank (Family Bank) for the subsequent purchase of housing. Transferring a part of pension savings will stimulate the habit of accumulating funds and managing them wisely.
Addressing MPs, the Head of Kazakhstani State emphasised the importance of high-quality preparation of the bills (draft laws). His Excellency rightly believes that parliamentarians should always be persistent in protecting the interests of the people. In this vein, every decision should be made, considering the needs of Kazakhstani citizens and the capabilities of the state.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the need for effective work of the state apparatus. He was right to say those in the public service who doubt the mapped-out course, and those who cannot cope with their work should leave their posts.
He concluded the State of the Nation Address by saying – “Clearly, we are now entering a decisive stage in our development. The state apparatus is obliged to function as a single mechanism”.
We can only agree that the Kazakh President’s well-thought-out priorities will ensure the achievement of the set goals.