Equality Now sent its suggestions to the Kyrgyz Parliament regarding the draft of the new Labour Code, which was recently submitted to the deputies. We aim for Kyrgyzstan to abandon discriminatory provisions regarding industries, jobs, professions, and positions where women’s labor is prohibited. The existing version of the Labour Code included the article stating that “[i]t is prohibited to employ women in heavy work and work with harmful and (or) hazardous working conditions, as well as in underground work, except for non-physical work or work on sanitary and domestic services, as well as work involving manual lifting and moving of weights exceeding the maximum permissible norms for them.” (Article 303). The Government Regulation provides the list of these professions.
Not to include discriminatory provisions relating to industries, jobs, professions, and positions in which women’s labour is prohibited in the new Labour Code of Kyrgyzstan. By doing so, Kyrgyzstan will comply with its Constitution and fulfil its international legal obligations, improve women’s lives, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the country and the world.