At the meeting of the Government chaired by the Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Tamara Duissenova reported on the measures taken to protect labor at industrial safety facilities.

To date, the country is working to update the standards for safety and labor protection in accordance with international requirements. This process should be completed by 2021.

"We are introducing incentive measures to protect workers' labor and health. Thus, more than 1,400 enterprises of the country have implemented labor safety and labor protection standards recommended by the International Labor Organization," Tamara Duissenova said.

In addition, the mechanism of voluntary declaration by the employer of compliance of its activities with the requirements of labor legislation has been implemented. Today, 131 employers became owners of such certificates of trust and were excluded from the list of enterprises subject to scheduled inspection for three years.

According to the minister, as a result of comprehensive measures taken by state bodies and employers, positive dynamics in creating safe working conditions for workers is continuing.

"In 2016, the number of injured in production decreased by 2.4% compared to 2015," T. Duissenova said.

Expenses for various compensations to employees for work in harmful labor conditions increased from 78 billion tenge in 2012 to 100 billion tenge in 2016.

"These costs can be reduced by employers themselves through improving working conditions or by transferring workers to safer types of work," the minister said.

The minister also recalled that workers employed in harmful production conditions are entitled to additional leave of at least six days' duration. This compensation is prescribed in the Labor Code.

To date, relevant scientific applied research is being conducted and in 2018-2019, new approaches will be introduced into the labor legislation with differentiated provision of guarantees to workers engaged in labor activity in harmful working conditions (additional leave, shorter working hours, higher wages), the scope of guarantees will be determined taking into account the results of the certification.

At the end of the report, Tamara Duissenova assured that the ministry continues to work in this direction.

During the consideration of the issue, the general director of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC, Paramit Kalon, akim of Atyrau region Nurlan Nogayev and Deputy Prime Minister Askar Mamin delivered speeches.