No Amnesty for Individuals Receiving Illegal Maternity Benefits in Kazakhstan

Investigations into the illegal acquisition of social benefits through fictitious employment schemes are ongoing in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, individuals involved in these schemes are required to fully reimburse the damages caused to the state.

Providing clarification on the matter, Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Victoria Shegai, stated that the Ministry has uncovered illegal schemes for obtaining social benefits across 13 regions of the country. Consequently, 38 criminal cases have been initiated, involving over 1,000 women under investigation. To date, court verdicts have been delivered in 9 cases. The total amount of damages is estimated at approximately 3 billion tenge.

The Vice-Minister declared that no amnesty is being considered regarding the repayment of funds obtained through illegal means.

"The primary issue here is not the mothers on maternity leave themselves, but rather the actions of individuals who exploited their trust and involved them in illegal schemes. Criminal cases are currently being processed against these individuals. Nevertheless, the reimbursement of illegally obtained benefits to the state is a mandatory requirement," Victoria Shegai emphasized.

A representative of the Ministry warns that there is no legal basis in existing legislation to exempt individuals who have illegally received social benefits from their debt or to apply amnesty to them.