Kyrgyzstan Updates Labor and Social Legislation, Strengthens Penalty Mechanisms

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On February 23, 2026, the Jogorku Kenesh Committee on Science, Education, Innovative Development and Information Technologies, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs approved in the first reading a draft law introducing comprehensive amendments to labor and social legislation in Kyrgyzstan. The bill too proposes the invalidation of the existing law “On ensuring the timely payment of wages and other social payments.”

Rationale for the Amendments

According to the justification certificate accompanying the draft law, the proposed changes are in line with Article 7 of the law “On the Enactment of the Labor Code.” The primary aim is to update existing legislation, recognizing that a significant portion of the current regulations are already incorporated into the Labor Code, the Code of Offenses, and laws concerning pension social insurance, and education. Жогорку Кенеш Кыргызской Республики

Key Provisions of the Draft Law

The draft law proposes several key changes across various legal frameworks:

Code of Contraventions

Amendments to Article 90 of the Code of Contraventions will expand liability for late payments to include scholarships and other social payments, in addition to wages, pensions, and benefits.

Labor Code

The Labor Code is set for several revisions:

• The introduction of a recent concept, “other social payments,” encompassing various forms of material support provided by enterprises and organizations, including compensation for work-related injuries and benefits.
• A change to Article 49, replacing the Cabinet of Ministers’ authority to declare emergency circumstances with that of the President.
• The removal of references to legislation on timely wage payments from Part 3 of Article 243, aligning with the proposed invalidation of the existing law on timely payments.

Law on State Pension Social Insurance

The draft law establishes a penalty of 0.15% of the unpaid amount for each day of delay if pension payments are overdue by more than five days. The total penalty amount is capped at 200% of the principal debt unless the pensioner submits a written request, after which the limitation is removed, and penalties continue to accrue. Payments will be made in the national currency, with liability for late payment addressed by the Code of Contraventions.

Law on State Benefits

Similar to the pension law, the draft law mandates that overdue benefit payments (delayed more than five days) be adjusted for inflation and subject to a penalty of 0.15% per day of delay. The penalty cap is also 200% of the debt until a written request is made by the recipient. Late payments will be subject to penalties under the Code of Contraventions.

Law on Education

The law “On Education” will be amended to require scholarship payments in the national currency and establish liability for late payments. Educational organizations will be required to pay scholarships with inflation adjustments and a penalty of 0.15% per day of delay, subject to the same 200% penalty cap until a written request is submitted.

Invalidation of Existing Law

The draft law proposes to invalidate the law “On ensuring the timeliness of payment of wages, pensions, benefits and other social payments,” transferring its relevant provisions into existing sectoral laws.

Ministry Input and Finalization

The justification note indicates that the draft law has been finalized incorporating feedback from various ministries and departments. The Ministry of Justice suggested increasing the maximum penalty amount for overdue pensions to 200% of the amount owed, a proposal that was adopted. The Ministry of Finance’s suggestion to introduce the concept of “other social payments” into the Labor Code was also incorporated. Eurasianet

The Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s unicameral parliament, comprises 90 seats, with members elected for five-year terms. Wikipedia