Kazakhstan Employment Guide

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, with a population of around 19 million. The labor market is regulated by the Kazakhstan Labor Code, which covers employment contracts, working hours, overtime, paid leave, social insurance contributions, and termination procedures. Employers must comply with local tax and social security obligations. Employee rights, workplace safety, and anti-discrimination measures are protected by law. The country has been gradually modernizing labor regulations to attract foreign investment and support economic growth.

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Currency

Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)

Capital

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

Official language

Kazakh (Russian widely used)

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Kazakhstan

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Minimum Wage Requirements in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan mandates a minimum monthly wage of 85,000 KZT for all employees. This baseline compensation is essential for businesses to understand when structuring competitive salary packages.

Personal Income Tax Structure

A flat rate of 10% applies to personal income tax across all earnings brackets. This simplified tax system provides predictability for both employees and employers in financial planning.

Employer Cost Considerations

Total employment costs typically amount to approximately 18% of an employee's gross salary. These mandatory contributions include:

Social Security: 3.50%
Social Tax: 9.50%
Health Insurance: 3.0%
Pension Contributions: 5.0%
Employer Liability Insurance: 0.49%
Accident Insurance: 0.29%
Mandatory Pension: 2%

Note that contribution caps may affect these percentages for higher-income employees.

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

The standard workweek consists of 40 hours, typically distributed as 8 hours daily from Monday through Friday. Overtime compensation is mandatory for hours exceeding this standard.

Employees may work up to 2 hours of overtime daily, with a monthly maximum of 12 hours. Overtime hours are compensated at 150% of the regular hourly rate, ensuring fair remuneration for extended work periods.

Practical Implementation Examples

For international companies like SailGlobal expanding into Kazakhstan, understanding these regulations is crucial for compliance. Consider a software developer earning 500,000 KZT monthly - the employer would need to budget approximately 90,000 KZT in additional contributions.

Another common scenario involves manufacturing operations requiring shift work. Proper overtime calculation becomes essential when employees exceed standard hours during production peaks.

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