On the very first day of full membership in the EAEU, customs control was lifted at some checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. According to the Minister of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Oleg PANKRATOV, the opening of customs borders is no longer just a formality.
- The procedure for passing goods has been simplified. At the checkpoint, citizens pass through without hindrance. The procedure for passing through the checkpoints has been reduced by half. In addition, there is an influx of vacationers at the "Ak-Tilek" and "Ak-Zhol" posts. Already today, 190 passes have been issued at the checkpoint: 120 for cargo and 70 for entry. We have switched to a unified customs tariff, - noted the minister on August 13.
As political scientist Denis BERDAKOV reported, Kyrgyzstanis will feel an improvement in product quality within a year.
- Simply put, the EAEU means trade without borders within the union, but on the condition of compliance with all regulations and standards. That is, for example, milk from Perm, Taraz, Batken, and Minsk must meet unified quality, packaging, and labeling standards, - says the political scientist. - What has been happening in Kyrgyzstan with product quality is complete chaos. Sausages were called products that contained at best 30 percent meat, milk was diluted dry milk. In the EAEU, we will be obliged to move away from this. When our products become standardized, we will be able to supply them to dozens of countries around the world.
However, Kyrgyzstanis should expect an increase in prices for vegetables and fruits imported from China. The cost of everything else depends on the dollar exchange rate, as all goods abroad are purchased in foreign currency.
- Our milk and meat will become more expensive in the long term, as they will be exported. For now, due to the situation with phytosanitary control, most of what we produce will remain in Kyrgyzstan, - says Berdakov. - On the other hand, cereals, canned goods, wheat, fish - everything that we import from Kazakhstan and Russia should become cheaper. Prices will not change for sugar if the dollar does not rise in price. Also, within the framework of the EAEU, we received benefits for the import of cane for its production.
The cost of food will also depend on the exchange rate of the som against the ruble and tenge. Currently, entrepreneurs from the Kyrgyz Republic buy buckwheat, wheat, and other products from Russia and Kazakhstan for soms and benefit from this, as the exchange rate of the national currency of Kyrgyzstan is higher, - noted the expert.
With Kyrgyzstan's accession to the EAEU, it has become much easier to move labor resources. Now, citizens of Kyrgyzstan wishing to work in one of the EAEU states do not need work permits and patents, and in terms of their rights, they are almost on par with citizens of the host country.
- From the day Kyrgyzstan joined the Eurasian Economic Union, migrants from Kyrgyzstan will be able to work in Russia without obtaining a unified labor patent. In addition, the duration of temporary stay (residence) of labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan and their family members on the territory of the Russian Federation is now determined by the duration of the labor or civil law contract concluded with the employer. In the event of termination of the mentioned documents after 90 days from the date of entry into Russia, Kyrgyz citizens have the right, without leaving, to conclude a new contract within 15 days, - reports the Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration, and Youth of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almaz ASANBAEV.
Now, citizens of Kyrgyzstan who go to work in Russia or another EAEU country will be exempt from registering for migration at their place of stay for 30 days from the date of entry, and the duration of their temporary stay will be determined by the labor contract with the employer. This is also beneficial for employers, as they will no longer fear exorbitant fines for hiring foreigners without the proper permit.
It is also encouraging that when hiring, citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic do not need to take exams in Russian language, history, and law. Kyrgyz diplomas are also recognized without undergoing recognition procedures. The only exceptions are in pedagogical, legal, medical, or pharmaceutical activities. Those wishing to work in these fields must undergo the document recognition procedure.
When signing a labor contract, citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic must obtain an insurance number for an individual personal account, which is necessary for contributions to the pension fund of the host country. At the same time, the work experience of workers is counted towards the total work experience for social security purposes, except for pensions - in accordance with the legislation of the country of employment. Officially employed Kyrgyz citizens also have the right to free emergency and urgent medical care on the same terms as citizens of the country in which they work, and their children can freely attend kindergartens and schools.