Kazakhstan proposes reducing the working day by one hour for parents

Tengrinews.kz — A proposal was made in the Mazhilis to introduce a shorter workday-reduced by one hour-for parents raising young children.
Details
The initiative was voiced by deputy Karakat Abden during a plenary session of the Mazhilis while discussing amendments to the Labor Code.

“An additional hour that a mother or father can spend with their child is an investment in the child’s future, in family stability, in societal stability, and an opportunity for a parent to simply pick up their child from kindergarten on time. To devote more attention to their upbringing and health,” she said.

According to her, she had previously raised this issue at the government level, but no decision has yet been made.
She asked relevant authorities and fellow deputies to take this question into account during the second reading of the bill.
International experience
The deputy noted that in many developed countries, reduced working hours or shorter workweeks for parents of young children have long been in effect, and this practice is recognized as effective and scientifically justified.

“This is viewed not as a bonus or privilege, but as part of a national strategy to strengthen families. This does not involve additional budget expenditures. This is about simple interchangeability, which can easily be regulated in labor legislation,” Abden explained.

A year ago, deputy Karakat Abden had already proposed reducing the workday for women, following the example of Scandinavian countries, as well as extending paid maternity leave to two years.