Country profile KGZ
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5-17 | 21.6 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 5-17 | 18 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 5-17 | 14.3 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 5-17 | 23.2 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 5-17 | 16 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 5-17 | 19.6 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | No information | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4050156,103529"}] | 14 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | In a Direct Request published in 2021, the CEACR "notes the Government’s indication in its report that basic vocational training is provided after completion of a basic general or secondary general education, usually at 15 years of age". It also references to section 95 of the Labour Code according to which children aged between 14 and 16 years can combine study and work in the academic year, thus implying that the minimum age for admission to apprenticeship is set to 14 years. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2006-02-13 | C182 | Military Service Law of the Kyrgyz Republic - Article 3. 1. and Article 17. 1. | [{"link_name":"Military Service Law of the Kyrgyz Republic","source_link":"https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/202536/edition/4231/kg"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | While Article 3. 1. states that Women citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic above the age of 19 may be taken into military registration in peacetime, as well as voluntarily accepted for military service, Article 17. 1. of the Law stipulates that Male citizens between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five who are not eligible for deferment from military service, who are not eligible for exemption from military service, or who have lost the right to deferment from military service shall be subject to conscription, thus prohibiting the forced recruitment of children below that age. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2012-07-10 | C182 | The Code of the Kyrgyz Republic about Children - Article 15. 3. | [{"link_name":"The Code of the Kyrgyz Republic about Children","source_link":"https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/203700/edition/1208810/ru?anchor=%D1%8011"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 15. 3. of the Code on Children prohibits the use of a child in work the performance of which may cause harm to their health and moral development including gambling business, work in night entrainment establishments, production, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, narcotics and toxic drugs. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1997-10-01 | C182 | Criminal Code - Article 77. (1). and Article 124. | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code","source_link":"https://antislaverylaw.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Kyrgyzstan-Criminal-Code.pdf"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 124. prohibits the trafficking in Person for the purpose of exploitation which is notably defined as the forcing in prostitution or other sexual activities. Furthermore, subsections (2) 2) and (3) 4) raise the sentence for the committing of such crime on a juvenile, which is defined as a person under the age of 18 years by Article 77. (1). |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 1997-10-01 | C182 | Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic - Article 77. (1) ; Article 124. (1) and Article 124. (2) 2) | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic","source_link":"https://antislaverylaw.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Kyrgyzstan-Criminal-Code.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 124 (1) punishes human trafficking, while Paragraph (2) 2) of the same article provides for an increased sentence when the offense is committed against a minor. According to Article 77 (1), a minor is defined as a person under the age of 18, thereby explicitly prohibiting the trafficking of children below this age. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2020-11-13 | C138 & C182 | Decree of 13 November 2020, No. 565 | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4327683,103529:NO"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | In an Observation published in 2025, the CEACR notes the adoption by the Government of a list of 579 types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2020-11-13 | C138 & C182 | Decree of 13 November 2020, No. 565 | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4327683,103529:NO"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | In an Observation published in 2024, the CEACR notes the adoption by the Government of a list of types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2023-08-11 | C138 | Kyrgyz Republic Education Law | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:2295145,103529"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | In a Direct Request published in 2009, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted the Government’s information that, according to the Kyrgyz Republic Education Law, primary education of four years and secondary education of five years are considered to be free and compulsory. It also notes the Government’s information that children normally finish compulsory education at 15–16 years aligning with the minimum age for admission to work of 16 years and its exceptional extension to 15 years for children subject to the agreement of the representative of the workers’ organizations or the state employment authorities. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4327077,103529:NO"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | In an Observation published in 2024, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) urged the Government to take the necessary measures, to determine light work activities permitted for children aged 14–16, thus implying no such law has yet been implemented. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2004-08-04 | C138 | Labour Code of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan - Article 18 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/73094/KGZ73094%20Russian.pdf"}] | 14 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Article 18 sets the minimum age for light work to 14 years for students given they received the written consent of one of the parents (guardian, tutor) or guardianship and tutorship body to carry out easy work in spare time, which will not damage health or disturb process of study. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2004-08-04 | C138 | Labour Code of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan - Article 18. | [{"link_name":"Labour Code of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/73094/KGZ73094%20Russian.pdf"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article 18. sets the minimum age for admission to work to 16 years. It should also be noted that the Article states that, in exclusive cases persons that reached the age of 15 could be employed upon consultation with employees’ representation bodies of the organizations or with an authorized state body in labour sphere. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 10-MAY-2004 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 31-MAR-1992 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In an Observation published in 2024, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) notes "the adoption of the Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons for 2022-2025 (the Program) and the Action Plan for its implementation by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution of 15 April 2022, No. 227. As indicated in the Program for 2022-2025, the issues of detection and identification of child victims of trafficking remain a problem due to the low level of knowledge of public officials about the specifics of the identification procedures. The Committee also observes that the Action Plan for 2022-2025 provides for measures to guarantee the rights and interests of child victims of trafficking. ". | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4327683,103529:NO"}] | 2022-2025 | Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons | No information |