Instructions are circulating online advising women to register as unemployed after their child reaches the age of 1.5 years in order to receive social payments. The Ministry of Labour states that such advice misleads citizens and does not comply with the current legislation of Kazakhstan.
WHAT IS BEING SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the Ministry of Labour), messages are being distributed in messaging apps and social networks urging citizens to register as unemployed at a career centre.
The authors of these messages claim that after registration, people can supposedly receive unemployment benefits for a period of six months.
The department emphasises that such recommendations are not based on legal norms.
WHY A WOMAN ON MATERNITY LEAVE IS NOT CONSIDERED UNEMPLOYED
According to the legislation of Kazakhstan, a woman on childcare leave retains her job.
Therefore, during this period, she cannot be assigned the status of unemployed. This status is only granted to citizens who:
- are genuinely seeking work;
- are ready to start working;
- are registered in accordance with the established procedure.
Without meeting these conditions, the allocation of payments is not possible.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Ministry of Labour reminded that social benefits for job loss are only granted to participants of the compulsory social insurance system who are registered as unemployed and comply with the established requirements.
The benefit recipient is obliged to inform the career centre if they find employment. If a citizen provides false information, the payments received are subject to repayment in accordance with the procedure stipulated by law.
HOW MANY CASES ARE ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION
The Ministry also reported that such schemes have already been the subject of criminal investigations.
According to the department:
- in 2025, more than 30 criminal cases were initiated in 12 regions of Kazakhstan;
- in five regions, 7 court verdicts have been handed down.
The Ministry notes that citizens became involved in illegal schemes to obtain social benefits after seeing promotional posts on social networks, including Instagram.
WHERE TO CONTACT FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The department urges citizens not to trust unknown individuals in messaging apps and not to share personal data with strangers.
Official information on social support measures can be obtained:
- on the website enbek.gov.kz;
- via the official social media accounts of the Ministry of Labour;
- through the contact centre on 1414.