Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced a number of significant government initiatives to support the welfare of the country.
Nazarbayev made the announcement at Kazakhstan’s ruling political party’s 18th Nur Otan Party Congress in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on February 27.
President Nazarbayev announced $3.6 billion of government funding for a number of wide-reaching initiatives aimed at helping low-income families, including raising the salaries of the lowest-bracket public sector workers, and increasing spending on affordable housing, healthcare and infrastructure development.
“The Government will focus on raising incomes and supporting low-income families, resolving housing issues for low-income citizens, improving education and healthcare, and implementing a comprehensive regional development plan,” Kazakh President said.
Increased wages for public sector workers
President Nazarbayev announced that lowest-bracket public sector salaries will be raised by 25%, as part of the government’s increasing focus on low-income groups.
This will cover employees working in healthcare, education, social protection, culture, sport, and agriculture, among other sectors:
“I call on the Government to raise salaries for all low-wage workers who support citizens at the district, regional and local level by 25%.”
Strengthen welfare support for large families in Kazakhstan
The government will allocate approximately $790 million to social assistance for low-income and large families in Kazakhstan:
“Each Kazakhstani family should feel the benefits of today’s announcement. Large families will receive a minimum payment of $56 per child to ensure targeted support for families with children who are recipients of social assistance.”
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In addition, social assistance for parents caring for children with disabilities will be increased by 30%, a measure which is expected to impact around 100,000 people.
The government is also aiming to streamline the social assistance application process, to further support large and low-income families.
Investment in housing and infrastructure
The President announced additional funding for affordable housing and infrastructure development.
This includes $930 million allocated to investment in Kazakhstan’s road infrastructure, to expand the network of roads across the country.
Increase healthcare funding and quality of healthcare
The government will allocate an additional $320 million towards Kazakhstan’s healthcare system, focusing on disease prevention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
The President stressed that all Kazakh citizens should have access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of where they are located.
Facilitate integrated development of all Kazakh regions
The Kazakh government will increase its focus on supporting the development of Kazakhstan’s rural regions. President Nazarbayev announced $240 million of funding for the implementation of the ‘Village is the Cradle of the Country’ project, stressing that this initiative will facilitate rural youth employment.
This renewed focus on Kazakhstan’s rural regions will include building housing and infrastructure and supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses and processing industries.