President Sadyr Zhaparov signed the new Labour Code adopted by the Parliament in December 2024. The document is designed to modernise labour relations in the country and provide greater protection of the rights of both employees and employers. Among the key changes are the simplification of labour contracts, the possibility of keeping an electronic labour book, and the transition to remote and combined formats of work.

The Code also introduces significant changes to the system of public holidays and days off. In particular, the total number of non-working days is reduced, fixed New Year and May holidays are introduced, and the practice of postponing holidays is cancelled. Special quotas for the employment of people with disabilities and graduates of orphanages are envisaged.
In addition, the new Labour Code establishes a lump-sum benefit in case of labour injury or death of an employee, a single rate of penalty for delayed wages (0.25%), and increases the limitation period for wage disputes to 3 years. The employment of pregnant women and nursing mothers in heavy and harmful work is prohibited. Issues of employee and employer representation are now regulated by a separate law ‘On Social Partnership’.