As part of the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, large-scale reforms are being implemented in the country to increase employment and expand citizen participation in entrepreneurship. As a result of these measures, the poverty rate decreased from 17 percent in 2021 to 6.8 percent, and the share of low-income households receiving allowances declined from 14 to 6.1 percent.
At the same time, the state pays special attention to preventing income loss among citizens and protecting them from poverty in difficult life circumstances.
The presentation highlighted current issues requiring solutions.
In particular, not all private-sector employees are covered by maternity, temporary disability, or dismissal benefits. This is because such payments often increase production costs and reduce enterprises’ competitiveness. Employers, in turn, consider these expenses an additional burden. In addition, maternity benefits funded from the budget remain low, making the system unattractive to entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, according to the International Labour Organization conventions “On Minimum Standards of Social Security” and “On the Protection of Maternity”, maternity and sickness benefits must be provided through social insurance mechanisms.
The presentation reviewed proposals to expand population coverage of social benefits and to align the national social insurance system with international standards.
It is planned that payments from the Social Protection Fund will gradually cover all officially employed citizens. Starting in 2026, the Fund will begin providing maternity benefits, and from the second half of 2026, temporary disability benefits.
As the President emphasized, the main goal of the new system is not only to strengthen social protection for women and employees, but also to encourage formal employment relationships.
The Head of State approved the proposals presented and gave specific instructions regarding the digitalization of the social insurance system, ensuring its transparency, and introducing a proactive procedure for benefit allocation and payment.
