Proposed new work holidays in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Proposes Six New Professional Holidays, Expanding Official Recognition of Professions
A draft decree from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has surfaced online, indicating Kazakhstan's potential introduction of six new professional holidays. The document is accessible on the government's "Open NPA" platform and is open for public debate until June 12.
The proposed holidays include:
- Day of Kazakh Entrepreneurs
- Day of Kazakh Craftsmen
- Day of Workers in Natural Monopolies
- Day of Sanitary and Epidemiological Service Workers
- Day of Human Resources Professionals
- Day of Catering Industry Workers
The decree also alters the celebration date of Energy Worker's Day from the third Sunday of December to December 22.
Earlier in January, several new professional holidays were added, such as Day of Financial Monitoring Agencies, Day of Maritime and River Transport Workers, and Day of Workers in the Field of Measurement and Automation. These additions brought the total number of professional holidays to 63, up from 55 previously, as approved in June 2024.
The draft decree published in December 2023 proposed the approval of eight new professional holidays, with plans to remove Day of Press and Day of Radio from the list of professional holidays.
According to the Law "On Holidays in the Republic of Kazakhstan," national holidays, state holidays, professional holidays, and other holidays are celebrated in Kazakhstan. National holidays commemorate significant historical events, while state holidays mark events of public and political importance. Professional holidays, on the other hand, are not given national or state status, but are observed by specific categories of citizens. However, only the days on which national and state holidays are celebrated are considered holidays.
These newly proposed holidays aim to recognize various professional fields and contribute to a well-structured holiday calendar that supports public welfare and national identity. The changes are expected to take effect in 2025, with June being the month when the new holiday(s) will be introduced.
The draft decree includes the proposal for a new professional holiday, the Day of Kazakh Entrepreneurs, which aims to recognize and support the business sector in Kazakhstan. Moreover, the Day of Human Resources Professionals is also proposed, signifying the importance of finance in human resource management within various business operations.
