Kazakhstan meets ILO standards on social support of women and children - Abdykalikova

Comparative benchmarking shows that Kazakhstan generally meets the standards of the International Labour Organization on social support of women and children, Kazakh Minister of Labour and Social Protection Gulshara Abdykalikova stated at the conference on child protection in the Majilis on Friday.

"For implementing the best international practices Kazakhstan ratified the ILO Maternity Protection Convention this year," Abdykalikova said.

In Kazakhstan every mother receives child care allowance during one year after giving birth, which is increasing with each consequent child. The amount of benefits for the birth of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd child is 48,540 tenge, or 261 euros; for 4th or more - 80,900 tenge, or 436 euros, which exceeds the level of benefits in such European countries as Poland - 120 euros, Estonia - 310 euro.

On women's right to maternity leave Kazakhstan exceeds the duration of maternity leave recommended by ILO of 14 weeks, and provides women with 18 weeks of paid vacation, and if the woman lives in the area of nuclear exposure, she is granted 24 weeks. Kazakhstan indicators are above the average of European countries, where it ranges from 13 to 20 weeks, except for Denmark - 28 weeks and France - 26 weeks.

On the remaining recommendations G.Abdykalikova reported that they all are met and regulated by the legislation. For example, Kazakhstan approved a list of 299 occupations that are harmful to women's health. In addition to the recommended minimum standards the government provides targeted social assistance and welfare payments for children under 18 years of age. At the same time families raising children with disabilities receive monthly state social allowance.