Kazakhstan advances bold labor reforms to boost wage fairness and safety

From capping wage inequality to stricter injury investigations, these changes could redefine worker protections. Will employers adapt—or resist the shift?

, and Administrator

2025 November 19 . 9:20 PM

1 min read

In this image we can see a woman wearing dress and a man wearing uniform are sitting here. The... — In this image we can see a woman wearing dress and a man wearing uniform are sitting here. The background of the image is blurred, where we can see a few more people sitting.

Kazakhstan advances bold labor reforms to boost wage fairness and safety

Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament has taken a step toward major labour reforms. The Mazhilis approved a series of changes in their first reading, targeting workplace safety, wage fairness, and employee protections. The proposals also address parental rights and injury accountability in the workplace.

One key reform introduces wage ratio limits within collective bargaining agreements. Employers and unions would need to set permissible gaps between the highest and lowest pay for the same role, aiming to reduce wage inequality in professions covered by such contracts.

The approved measures now move to further parliamentary stages before becoming law. If passed, they will reshape how wages are structured, how injuries are investigated, and how parental leave is recorded. Employers and employees alike will face clearer rules on contracts, accountability, and workplace protections.