How Can People With Disabilities Find a Job in Kyrgyzstan?

The pensions and benefits for people with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan are several times lower than the subsistence minimum. The citizens with disabilities of Category 3 receive a monthly allowance of 1,000 soms (slightly more than $11). People with disabilities of Category 2 can count on 1,500 soms (about $17). People with disabilities of Category 1 receive 3000 soms (about $35) per month.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development notes that the amount of monthly social benefits is constantly revised based on the capabilities of the state and economic situation. Thus, the issue of employment of people with disabilities is not related only to equality of rights and non-discrimination – it is a matter of survival.

A quota system functions in Kyrgyzstan. It regulates the employment of people with disabilities. For example, if the number of employees in a company is at least 20 people, 5%, (that is, at least one position) should be provided to people with disabilities.

The representatives of the public employment service must inform the employers of these norms three months before the beginning of each calendar year.

However, this works only for state-owned enterprises. These rules are advisory rather than mandatory for private businesses. The quota is rarely filled even in government organisations. People with disabilities often face discrimination from employers.

The Kyrgyz Society for the Blind and Deaf has been operating in the country since 1937; its representative offices are located in all regions of the republic. The organisation opened sewing and furniture workshops; it has a farm with agricultural land. People with disabilities sew workwear and uniforms, bed linen and mattresses, produce school desks, beds and chairs, metal handrails, and much more.

However, according to the member of the main board of the Society Marat Tashbaev, due to the competition on the market, there are very few orders. He noted that in other countries, the state usually orders products from such organisations.

To contact the Society for the Blind and Deaf, call +996(312)353381, or write an e-mail to erc@elcat.kg

NGOs, foundations, and public associations positively influence the employment of people with disabilities in the country. For example, the Public Association Union of Persons with Disabilities “Equality” works in Kyrgyzstan. The association helps people with disabilities to write CVs correctly, to find job offers, to negotiate with employers.

According to the head of the association Gulmira Kazakunova, to change the situation with difficulties in the employment of people with disabilities, the country needs to revise its views on disability. “We should proceed from the medical perception to the social one based on equal rights,” added Kazakunova.

To contact the Public Association Union of Persons with Disabilities “Equality”, call +996(771)627525. E-mail: ravenstvokg@gmail.com

Other organisations that can help people with disabilities with employment:

Public Foundation “Providing Legal Assistance to Persons With Disabilities”. Here, people with disabilities can receive free assistance in drawing up an employment contract and other legally significant documents.

Phone: +996(312)883618

Address: Bishkek, 300 Frunze Street, 1 floor

Public association of young women with disabilities “Nazik-Kyz” creates jobs for girls and women with disabilities.

Phone: +996(555) 304 233

E-mail: nurzaada@gmail.com

Social Village “Manas”. Here, people with disabilities live, grow fruits and vegetables, learn crafts; the income from the sales of products and crops is paid as salaries.

Phone: +996(550)104243

Address: Chui region, Moskva district, Murake village, Begaliev Street

Public Association “Mumkunchuluk” [“Opportunity” – Tr.]. The association is engaged in the protection of the rights and interests of young people with disabilities of the musculoskeletal system.

Phone: +996(772) 882 258

One of the successful cases of employment of people with disabilities is Solomon Sandwiches Cafe in the capital. Dina and Nurmat Eshalievs opened the cafe in 2020. They are activists and head the Sunterra Foundation, which unites parents of children with Down syndrome. The family was planning this for a long time and needed support.

Through the Foundation, Eshalievs met volunteers James and Hannah Thorsons. They came from the US to Kyrgyzstan to work with children with disabilities. The families united their efforts and opened the cafe, where the people with cerebral palsy work as waiters, people with Down syndrome and hearing impairment perform many tasks.

Before starting to work there, all the employees were trained. Now, Solomon Sandwiches Cafe serves about 50-70 customers per day.

In Kyrgyzstan, people with disabilities often try to become self-employed and find resources to start their own businesses. However, this is rather an exception to the general trend.

This is the story of Olzhobay uulu Isabek. When he was 35, he lost his sight and stayed at home for a year. Since he is the only breadwinner in the family, Isabek decided to learn massage. Now, he works in own massage centre, and also in the capital’s Family Medical Centre No. 4. Olzhobay uulu gives massage to children with disabilities for free.

“The Kyrgyz people have a proverb: “A person can be a medicine”. Everything worked out thanks to the people who supported me,” says Olzhobay uulu.

Turat Monkoev also managed to find a job while facing challenges. In 2015, a man lost an arm and a leg after an electric shock. Monkoev has five children to take care of. After rehabilitation, he began searching for a part-time job. Now, he drives a truck for a furniture workshop (it operates under the Union of Persons with Disabilities of Chui Region). To drive a truck, he adjusted the vehicle’s ignition and control systems for himself. The shop’s employees receive piecework wages. Sometimes, there are very few orders. However, those working there note that such work is better than staying at home or trying to survive on the benefits from the state. Turat Monkoev finds customers himself, goes to different stores and offers their products, manages social media accounts for advertising.

You can buy wood products made in the workshop in one of the capital’s stores: 38 Manas ave., “Kausar” stores.

The quota system functions in European countries, just like in Kyrgyzstan. For example, in France, the quota is 6% of jobs in enterprises with at least 20 employees. It is advantageous for an employer to hire people with disabilities because the enterprise receives preferential tax treatment or the state pays subsidies.

In addition, the case of each person with disabilities is considered individually to determine the most suitable profession for him/her. Then, they undergo training, professional adaptation, and, if necessary, continuing professional development.

In addition to assistance in finding employment from the state, some European countries also introduced a social protection system for people with disabilities, which provides additional assistance. For example, German legislation allows a person to use the services of a personal assistant free of charge for several hours a day. The assistant can help in everyday life, or, for example, go to a bank to pay bills. The municipal administration provides such services to people with disabilities at its own expense.

Social Village “Manas”. They teach crafts, cooking, farming.

Phone: +996(550)104243

Address: Chui region, Moskva district, Murake village, Begaliev Street

Union of Young People with Disabilities of Chui Region. Woodworking is taught in a furniture workshop.

Phone: +996(552) 449 222

The Kyrgyz Society for the Blind and Deaf. Here, people with disabilities can learn metalwork, sewing, farming, woodwork.

Contacts: +996 (312) 35 33 81; +996 (312) 35 33 83;

The Federation of the Blind, with the AUCA support, conducts free six-month rehabilitation courses for blind Kyrgyzstan residents. Computer literacy is taught here.

Phone: +996(773)65 66 17

There is no special employment agency for people with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan. However, the headhunter.kg platform has a search filter for vacancies “accessible to people with disabilities”. After clicking it, the available job offers are displayed.

In this case, you can always contact the lawyers from the “For Labour Rights” public platform.

E-mail: solidaritycentr.bishkek@gmail.com

Contacts: +996(555)201028; +996(312)883618

Another option is addressing the Institute of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, the department for the protection of the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities.

Hotline: 115

When hiring a person with a disability, the employer should provide him with special working conditions, equip the workplace and ensure safe access. The ramps and handrails are to be equipped for a person who uses a wheelchair, special computer screens need to be provided for those with visual impairment.

However, unfortunately, the state cannot dictate entrepreneurs to create such conditions. Therefore, each case is individual and depends on the employer.

According to the Labour Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, people with disabilities are entitled to benefits and preferences from the employer only if the injury that led to the disability was received at the workplace. In case of an accident, the head of the organisation (both private and state structures) is obliged to allocate or create a new workplace, with inclusive conditions, for the injured employee. In case of non-fulfilment of the requirement, the employer is liable in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic (parts 1 and 2 of Article 319 of the Labour Code of the Kyrgyz Republic).