On February 27-28, 2019 the Second Periodic Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan on measures taken to implement the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights has been discussed in Geneva in the framework of the 65thsession of the UN Committee on economic, social and cultural rights.

The Head of the delegation, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Nariman Mukushev presented the report on the activities carried out in Kazakhstan in this area and the progress achieved in recent years including in the framework of the ongoing state programs. Systemic efforts to improve the situation in the labour market and promote employment have been taken; budgetary allocations for the social sphere, education and healthcare have been steadily increasing to reach the current 45 per cent of the State budget. In a five years period, life expectancy has increased by three years and reached 72.95 years, the mortality rate dropped by 6 per cent while the unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 per cent.

The delegation of Kazakhstan also informed about the goals set out in the President's Statement at the Nur Otan Party Congress to increase the social support to low-income and large families and their access to housing through a preferential mechanism of housing loans.

Access to employment, housing, education and healthcare, trade unions activities, the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights were raised during the dialogue with Committee members.

Committee Experts highlighted significant progress achieved in the implementation of Government's reforms in social, economic and cultural spheres. At the same time, they draw the attention to the insufficient representation of women in state bodies and the cases of domestic violence. The issues of the right to strike, respect of environmental norms, access of disabled children to inclusive education had also been raised.

In his concluding remarks the Committee Chairperson Renato Zerbini appreciated the open and constructive dialogue held with the delegation of Kazakhstan and highlighted the importance of continuing taking further steps to implement the Covenant.

“The Qazaq Times”