Statistical Data
At the round table, Ainura Orozbaeva, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration, presented data indicating that there are over 221,000 people with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan, of whom about 29,000 are ready for employment. "This is a significant labor potential that the state intends to develop by creating equal conditions for access to jobs and social protection," she noted.Additionally, she reminded participants of the state program "Accessible Country," aimed at ensuring full participation of people with disabilities in various areas, including the labor market. However, achieving this goal requires both legislative and practical measures aimed at expanding employment opportunities.
Bekeshev also noted that current measures are clearly insufficient. "We plan to prepare a new draft law that will be submitted for public discussion. In particular, we propose to consider expenses for workplace adaptation—up to 100,000 soms—as a tax deduction for entrepreneurs. Thus, if they spend these funds on equipping a ramp or purchasing assistive technologies for employees with disabilities, they will be able to avoid paying income tax on that amount," he explained.
The deputy also suggested amending the Law "On Public Service" so that individuals with disabilities could be included in the personnel reserve based on a personal application, provided they meet the qualification requirements, without the need to go through competitive selection. This would simplify their appointment to positions, similar to graduates of specialized educational institutions.
In the future, according to Bekeshev, a fund should be established to promote the employment of people with disabilities. "If an employer is unable to meet the quota, they could make a fixed contribution, for example, equal to the minimum subsistence level for one unemployed person. These funds could be directed to support employers creating jobs, as well as to the direct creation of new jobs. With the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, opportunities for remote and intellectual work are significantly increasing, and people with disabilities can successfully find jobs in various fields. It is important to create motivation for employers," he added, expressing hope for support for his initiatives in parliament.
Monitoring the Rights of People with Disabilities
Mirdin Akhmetov, head of the department for socio-economic rights at the ombudsman's office, reported on the monitoring of labor rights for people with disabilities, which took place on December 1 and 2, 2025. It covered 18 organizations, including three government agencies, eight private companies, and seven educational institutions.The monitoring results showed that in four organizations, the 4% employment quota is not being met, and the average employment rate for people with disabilities is about 1.7% in each organization. The full quota is only met in one institution—the vocational college No. 57 in Batken, where five out of 53 employees are people with disabilities (9.4%).
Recommendations for Improvement
Askar Turdugulov, a public advisor to the ombudsman, noted that while there are positive changes regarding the employment of people with disabilities, there is still much work ahead. He proposed several recommendations, including the possibility of receiving subsidies from the government and international organizations to create an accessible working environment."In neighboring Central Asian countries, companies receive subsidies for creating accessible conditions for people with disabilities when employing them, for example, for installing ramps or widening doorways," Turdugulov explained.
He also mentioned the American ADA law, which has a division in each government agency responsible for its implementation. This ensures effective resolution of accessibility issues, including digital accessibility. The problem lies not only in the existence of the law but also in its actual enforcement. It is important to conduct clear monitoring," he added.
Furthermore, Turdugulov suggested that companies organize one-day events for people with disabilities, where they could learn about inclusive job vacancies, present their resumes, and undergo interviews.
"In conclusion, I want to emphasize the importance of Job Coaching. This program provides specialized support for people with disabilities, helping them adapt to the workplace and create an inclusive environment, including needs assessment, training, and interaction with employers. In the first months, coaches assist new employees in integrating into the team and settling in," Turdugulov concluded, highlighting the importance of implementing Job Coaching in employment centers.
The photo on the main page is illustrative: rg.ru.
