The list of jobs where the use of women's labor is restricted is planned to be canceled in Kazakhstan
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a round table, which considered the issue of canceling the list of jobs that restrict the use of women's labor.
The event was attended by the First Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Akmadi Sarbasov, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan Elvira Azimova, representatives of state bodies, non-governmental organizations, social partners, and others.
During the round table, the issue of amendments to Articles 16 and 26 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, aimed at excluding the list of jobs where the use of women's labor is restricted, was considered.
The list contains 213 professions and types of work where the employment of women is restricted due to the severity of the work, harmful and (or) dangerous working conditions.
The cancellation of the list will increase the employment opportunities of women by ensuring their access to all jobs and fulfill the obligations that Kazakhstan has assumed under the ratified international instruments on non-discrimination.
Also, in addition to the existing mechanisms for ensuring safe working conditions within the framework of the occupational risk management system and to ensure health protection, as well as the protection of motherhood, several additional measures are proposed to be considered.
Thus, the issue of including professions and types of work in which the use of women's labor is prohibited in the list of industries, workshops, professions, and positions in which work entitles to additional paid labor leave and reduced working hours, as well as increased wages (the list contains 8,940 working professions and positions of managers and specialists) will be considered.
In addition, the" List of medical contraindications for the conclusion of labor contracts in the field of heavy work, work with harmful (especially harmful) and (or) dangerous working conditions, underground work " is planned to be expanded with additional medical contraindications, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the female body associated with childbearing function. In addition to the general restrictions for the female sex, it is proposed to add restrictions for 9 different groups of diseases and pathologies.
The measures taken together will contribute to the realization of women's constitutional rights to freedom of work, free choice of occupation and profession, and will also contribute to ensuring the expansion of women's participation in the economy through the creation of equal access to the labor market, financial and other resources.
Following the discussion, the participants of the round table supported the abolition of the list of jobs where the use of women's labor is restricted.