A round table on employment of people with disabilities was held in Bishkek. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration, as well as employers. 

LCD deputy Dastan Bekeshev noted that employment of people with disabilities is a priority for the country's state policy. With the adoption of the new Labour Code in December 2024, the mechanism of job quotas for people with disabilities has been significantly improved. Organisations with more than 25 employees are now required to provide at least 4% of jobs for people with disabilities. This requirement also applies to companies providing jobs on a part-time basis.

«In addition, a number of other legislative acts, such as the law on the rights and guarantees of persons with disabilities and the law on promotion of employment, support the social rehabilitation and labour integration of persons with disabilities», — Dastan Bekeshev said.

Dastan Bekeshev noted that from 1 July 2024, changes were made to the tax legislation for people with disabilities — income tax for persons with disabilities of the first and second group was reduced from 10% to 5%, as well as the tax rate for the third group of hearing disability.
In addition, Social Funds contributions have been reduced to 3.25%, excluding sectors such as mobile phones, banking and internet service providers.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration Kiyal Zhanuzakova spoke about the measures taken by the ministry in the area of employment of people with disabilities.

«Over the past five years, more than 4 thousand people with disabilities applied to the Ministry of Labour, of which 2 thousand 665 were recognised as unemployed. However, thanks to active measures to promote employment, 1 thousand 303 people were employed, 1 thousand 686 people took courses in professions in demand in the labour market, and 1 thousand 441 people were temporarily employed in paid work. Within the framework of the «Social Contract» programme, small business projects have been successfully implemented for three years among more than 35 thousand people, 2 thousand 797 of whom are people with disabilities. And also within the framework of piloting youth internships, 12 citizens with disabilities out of 865 people, four of them were successfully employed. During the internship, young people receive a stipend of 8,600 KGS», — the Deputy Minister said.

She also noted that the Ministry has introduced the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and the portal zanyatost.kg, which greatly facilitate the employment process and increase access of people with disabilities to information about vacancies and employers to place them.

Summarising the results of the roundtable, the participants expressed support for further development of inclusive employment in Kyrgyzstan. It was emphasised that it is necessary to continue active cooperation between state bodies and employers to create equal conditions for all citizens, regardless of their physical limitations.