COUNTRY

Employment contracts in Kyrgyzstan must include a job description, wages, place of work, and the rights and obligations of the employer and employee. It must be in writing and signed by both parties. Although employment contracts can be for fixed terms, the preference is for unlimited terms. Contracts for fixed terms are not permitted in all cases, and, generally, may not have a duration of more than five years. If the term is not specified in writing, it will be for an indefinite period. If both the parties want to continue the relationship after a fixed-term contract expires, the contract will be treated as indefinite.

The standard workweek in Kyrgyzstan is 40 hours. Overtime is paid at a rate of not less than 1.5 times the worker’s basic hourly rate for the first two hours and not less than two times the basic hourly rate for the third hour and any additional overtime hours. Under some circumstances, a worker’s wage for working at night must be not less than 1.5 times the base wage. Work done on a scheduled day off or on a holiday is paid at not less than twice the worker’s normal pay rate.

Employers must give paid sick leave to employees in Kyrgyzstan who present a medical certificate. The certificate indicates how long the employee is entitled to paid sick leave. Sick leave pay is a percentage of the employee's average earnings.

Female employees are entitled to 126 days of maternity leave in Kyrgyzstan, up to 70 days before the birth and 56 days after the birth. In the event of a birth with complications or the birth of multiples, the mother is entitled to 70 days of leave after the birth.

Female workers in certain remote or mountainous regions are entitled to additional maternity leave. Part or all of this leave may be taken by the child’s father or any other relative who will be caring for the child. Additional unpaid leave may be taken until the child reaches three years of age. During maternity leave, employers pay workers 100% of the employee’s wages for the first 10 working days. Beginning on the 11th day and continuing through the end of the leave, the employee on leave receives a benefit paid by the government. Female employees may not be denied employment or terminated because of pregnancy, and women with young children at home may not be terminated except in limited circumstances involving misconduct.

Kyrgyzstan has a minimum wage. Employers are not required to provide bonuses to their employees.

Employees receive 28 days of annual paid leave in Kyrgyzstan.

In Kyrgyzstan, the public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day

• Orthodox Christmas

• Defender of the Fatherland Day

• International Women’s Day

• Nowruz

• Day of the People’s April Revolution

• Labor Day

• Constitution Day

• Victory Day

• Orozo Ait

• Independence Day

• Kurban Ait

• Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors

Kyrgyzstan has a compulsory health insurance system which includes basic, compulsory, and voluntary health insurance.

An employment contract can be terminated in Kyrgyzstan when:

• The parties agree to terminate the contract,

• The contract is for a fixed term and the term has ended,

• Either the employer or the employee chooses to terminate the contract,

• The employee moves to a new job with a different employer, either at the employee’s request or by agreement with the employer,

• Circumstances beyond the control of the parties require it,

• The employee refuses a transfer to other work because of a health condition supported by medical documentation,

• The employee refuses to continue working due to significant change in working conditions,

• The employee refuses to continue working due to a change in the organization’s ownership, jurisdiction or management, or

• The employee refuses to relocate after the employer moves to a new location and other reasons permitted by law.

An employer must provide one month’s written notice of termination, which the employee must acknowledge in writing. An employee may terminate an employment contract with two weeks’ written notice.