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Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Labour market Shadow Economy Employment Economy

Every Third Kazakhstani Works Informally or Hides Their Income

Approximately one-third of working Kazakhstanis are employed informally, lacking social guarantees, labor protections, and pensions. This is according to the research “Features of Labor Market and Employment in Kazakhstan” by Adam Research. The findings, analyzed by the Energyprom agency, shed light on the scope of informal employment in the country. The survey revealed that 36.4% of respondents acknowledged working in the shadow economy. This figure is higher among men (37.6%) than women (34.9%). Informal employment is categorized into three main types: Work without a labor contract: 16.6% Shadow entrepreneurship: 13.6% Part-time work without registration: 6.2% Young people and retirees are disproportionately represented in these informal sectors. The study, conducted via telephone survey of adults in all 17 regions of Kazakhstan, found that southern areas like the Turkestan and Almaty regions, along with Shymkent, had the highest rates of informal employment. Conversely, East Kazakhstan and Ulytau regions recorded the lowest rates. Informal workers are often individuals with secondary education working outside their specialty. Their earnings vary widely: Those without labor contracts typically earn up to 100,000 tenge ($190) per month. Shadow entrepreneurs may earn over 600,000 tenge ($1,130). Many struggle financially. Among respondents paid “in envelopes,” nearly 27% reported insufficient income for basic necessities. The Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan reported 1.2 million informally employed citizens in 2023. Of these: 682,500 worked in legal enterprises without formal registration. 473,200 were employed in the informal sector without patents or tax payments. This group constitutes 12.8% of Kazakhstan's total employed population. Labor Minister Svetlana Zhakupova identified informal employment as the second most significant labor market challenge, after job scarcity. She highlighted discrepancies between official labor remuneration fund data and pension savings. In 2023, the labor remuneration fund was valued at 38 trillion tenge, yet pension contributions accounted for only 20 trillion tenge. Additionally, labor remuneration makes up just 30% of Kazakhstan’s GDP, significantly lower than the OECD average of 50%. The largest discrepancies were observed in the trade, agriculture, and real estate sectors.

2 weeks ago

Legislation Domestic Violence Women's rights Society

Shakespearean Passions Unfold in Turkmen Village Over Marriage Dispute

A heated conflict erupted in the village of Yangala in Turkmenistan's Ahal province over an 11th-grade girl's decision to marry her boyfriend from a neighboring village. The girl's parents firmly opposed her plans to marry a young man from Kopetdag, sparking tensions that escalated dramatically on December 31 when the girl ran away with her fiancé. In an attempt to resolve the situation peacefully, elders and relatives from the fiancé’s side formed a delegation to negotiate with the girl’s family. The six-member group, which included a 75-year-old elder, visited the girl’s home but was met with hostility. The negotiations devolved into a violent altercation, with verbal insults escalating to physical confrontation. The girl's relatives pelted the visitors' cars with stones, smashing windows and headlights. One of the delegates suffered injuries from a hunting rifle loaded with salt. Police intervened, detaining several individuals involved in the fight, while the injured were taken to the hospital. The elder, who sustained bruises during the skirmish, refused to press charges, stating, “I came to settle the conflict, not to bring any of the girl's family to jail.” To de-escalate the situation, the district khakim (head of the local administration) convened a meeting with representatives from both families. The khakim tasked his deputy with finding a resolution acceptable to all parties within 15 days. He warned that if reconciliation proved impossible, the case would be referred to the prosecutor's office. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in Turkmenistan, particularly in matters of marriage. Despite legal guarantees of gender equality under the country’s Family Code, which states that marriage requires the free and full consent of both parties, societal norms and family pressures often undermine these rights. Women in Turkmenistan frequently face coercion and violence when their choice of spouse conflicts with family expectations. International human rights organizations have repeatedly reported violations of women’s rights in the country. A UN Foundation report reveals that 12% of Turkmen women have experienced physical or sexual violence within the family, though the real figures are likely higher due to underreporting in the country’s restrictive environment. The lack of effective legal mechanisms to protect women from domestic violence further exacerbates their vulnerability. Women who defy family opposition to marriage often face social stigmatization and even violence. The turmoil in Yangala illustrates the enduring influence of patriarchal traditions in Turkmen society and the broader struggle for women’s rights. As authorities work to mediate the conflict, the case underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for women in Turkmenistan to ensure that their legal rights are upheld in practice.

2 weeks ago

Social Islam Religion Society memory orthodox

Kazakhstan to Build Religious Memorial on Site of Stalin-Era Executions

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has approved the construction of a mosque and an Orthodox chapel at the historic Lisya Balka site in Shymkent, a location associated with mass executions during the years of political repression. Metropolitan Alexander, head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, announced at a press conference that the initiative was proposed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. He highlighted that Lisya Balka is the final resting place for victims of repression, including representatives of Kazakhstan’s two major religious communities - Islam and Orthodoxy. “The initiative of His Holiness was considered and approved by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,” Metropolitan Alexander stated, adding that the chapel project has already received official approval. Lisya Balka was a site of mass shootings during 1937–1938, one of the darkest periods of Stalinist repression. Victims included individuals from various religious backgrounds, notably around 60 exiled Orthodox priests and ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, the Kasiret (“Sorrow”) memorial complex was established at the site to honor those who perished. The Orthodox Church canonized several of those executed at Lisya Balka, referring to them as “innocent sufferers for Orthodoxy.” However, historians emphasize that the victims included adherents of diverse religions, such as Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, and Buddhism. The construction of the mosque and chapel seeks to preserve the memory of these tragic events while fostering interfaith harmony in Kazakhstan. By commemorating the innocent victims of various faiths, the project aligns with the country’s broader efforts to promote unity among its multi-religious population.

2 weeks ago

Criminal Responsibility Court Cases Justice Crime

Tajikistan Files New Charges in Konibodom ‘Night Killings’ Case

Three suspects in Tajikistan's Konibodom ‘night killings’ case now face additional charges of hooliganism and rape. Solekhdjon Khudojberdiyev, Ahadjon Tukhtaev, and Manuchehr Odilov, initially charged with murder. Authorities have offered little public information on the case. A brief statement from the Prosecutor General’s Office acknowledged the new indictments but refrained from providing further details, leaving key questions unanswered. Suspect Profiles Solekhdjon Khudojberdiyev (b. 1998): Hailing from the village of Gulbog, Khudojberdiyev had a prior conviction for rape. A sports enthusiast, he was known locally for his boxing, weightlifting, and power juggling performances. Ahadjon Tukhtaev (b. 1997): A butcher by trade from the same village as Khudojberdiyev, Tukhtaev also had a criminal record for sex crimes. Manuchehr Odilov (b. 1996): From Khamroboev Jamoat, Odilov shared a similar criminal background. Reports suggest he became acquainted with Khudojberdiyev and Tukhtaev while in prison. Bakhtiyor Ravshanov (b. 1988): A shoemaker and builder from the village of Sanjidzor, Ravshanov is Khudojberdiyev’s cousin. He faces murder charges for one of the killings in May. Case Background The Konibodom region in Sughd Oblast has endured a series of brutal killings. Between late March and May 2024, 13 individuals - ranging from children to the elderly - were murdered in their homes. The victims, ethnic Tajiks and Kyrgyz, lived near the border with Kyrgyzstan. These crimes, committed in different parts of the city, terrorized residents before the suspects were apprehended and the killings temporarily ceased. However, the violence resurfaced in December. On December 9, six people were killed, followed by four more murders on December 16. The crimes prompted swift action, and on December 22, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the detention of four suspects. The investigation remains under the close scrutiny of Tajikistan’s top leadership. The Prosecutor General is expected to provide a comprehensive update during the final press conference, shedding light on the motives and details of these tragic events. This story ws last updated on 8 January, 2025

2 weeks ago

Turan Tiger Nature Reserve tigers Nature

Turanian Tigers From the Netherlands Survive First Winter in Kazakhstan

Two Turanian tigers brought from the Netherlands last year have successfully completed their first winter in Kazakhstan’s Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve. The tigers are housed in spacious enclosures, each exceeding 0.5 hectares. Their adaptation is progressing well, with the predators actively hunting small game, including birds such as magpies and crows that venture into their feeding areas. Historically, Turanian tigers thrived in the reed beds and forests at the mouth of the Ili River near Lake Balkhash. However, the species was last sighted in the region in 1948, and subsequently declared extinct. Revival Program for Turanian Tigers Kazakhstan is undertaking an ambitious program to restore the Turanian tiger population. In addition to the two Amur tigers brought to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve for captive breeding, three or four more wild tigers are expected to arrive from Russia in 2025. Efforts to establish a sustainable ecosystem for these predators have been ongoing since 2018. To create a natural prey base, the reserve has introduced 205 riparian deer and over 100 kulans. Additionally, populations of roe deer and wild boars have been bolstered to support the tigers' dietary needs. This marks a significant step in Kazakhstan's conservation journey, reviving an iconic species that once roamed its landscapes.

2 weeks ago