AMIRZHAN I.SHALTYKOV
(Kazakhstan, Almaty)
MODERN TRENDS OF SOCIAL POLICY IN KAZAKHSTAN
Modern
processes having in Kazakhstan demonstrate the growing value of government
social policy, whose ultimate goal is the progressive society development and
social stability preservation, the stableness of the social situation of all
groups and categories of people, welfare and ensure social protection of the population,
empowerment and equal access to educational, medical, social, information and
communication services.
Social
policy in any state is positioned as central and legally stipulated in the
Basic Law of the State. Quoting the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
"Kazakhstan – is a democratic, secular, legal and social state, where the
highest values are an individual, his life, rights and freedoms" (1).
Social
policy is defined as a set of measures aimed to implementation of social
programs: income support, the standard of living, employment and employability;
functioning of all social sectors, the prevention of various conflicts. Social
policy as an integral part of the internal state policy designed to solve the
social problems of a systemic nature, to ensure the regulation of social
relations, the stability and concord of society. Social policy can be
interpreted as a definite form of agreement between the state, business -
structures, public organizations and professional groups to develop priority
areas of the social.
Successful social and political modernization of Kazakhstan's society
depends on the implementation and effectiveness of social policies.
Effectiveness of social policies is manifested in the promotion of successful
economic growth and improving the welfare of citizens; it is considered as a
strategic policy development, determining the social, potentials of the state,
significantly influencing on the human capital growing.
Structural, functional, the social policy is closely merged with
national security, competitiveness on the global level; is an important factor
in rising a civil society and constitutional state.
Each
country-specific, social norms, traditions and values, it is important to form its own model of social policy. Social policy can be
seen as a reflection of social expectations of society. Definiteness of the
social expectations of the citizens, launches, and often determines the overall
character and potentials of the social policy carrying out by the state.
In
Kazakhstan they developed its own model of social development, considering
current experience and national identity. The state social policy
implementation and the legal framework advancing to perform that policy was
conducted with the view of social development strategy of the country. Success
of Kazakhstan in social and economic and political development spheres are
explained by strategically verified and tactically sequenced planning of
country development.
In the frames of performing the strategy
"Kazakhstan - 2030" every year the Government worked out and
implemented comprehensive programs and concepts. In all aspects of social
development, as health, education, science, etc. step by step reforming was carried
out. Special attention was paid to reforming modernization in the housing
sector, and more.
As it is
known, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Nursultan Nazarbayev has
determined the formula of successful development of the country: "Economy-
the first, and then - Politics" and it has proven its efficiency, positive
and innovative, prepared the "soil" for further social and economic
recovery, growth, welfare of peoples of the country, effective solutions to
many social problems.
It should be noted that the impact of the
global economic crisis, of course, reflected on social policy development,
revealed many problems; the Government had taken necessary acts. So, in 2008,
to support motherhood and childhood, in compulsory social insurance plan they
included additional types of social risks compensations for working women, when
they lose their income due to pregnancy and child delivering, losses in revenue
when rise a child up to 1(one) year; compensations when adopt newborn baby. In
2009, there was increase in the amount of pension to 25%, in 2010, increased by
another 25%, and in 2011, they plan for another 30%. It may be noted, despite
the negative effects of the crisis, the pension system of Kazakhstan is stable,
and on the market of the Republic of pension services there are 14 pension
funds.
In President’s message to the nation "Through Crisis to Renovation
and Development", voiced on March 6, 2009, (2) the President Nursultan
Nazarbayev has identified important areas of social policy. In its framework
they worked out “Government road map”, the HR system of professional training
and retraining. To create social workplaces and expand "youth
practices" it was allocated 8.6 billion Tenge from the national budget.
Government initiated memorandum signing between local executive bodies and
large enterprises; the subject was the social responsibility and taking
necessary measures to ensure housing affordability. 360 billion Tenge was
directed to the development of housing; this funds were borrowed by JSC
National Welfare Fund "Samruk - Kazyna" from the National Fund.
Additional mechanism was developed to stabilize the property market through
creating JSC "Real Estate Fund" Samruk - Kazyna "; the main
objective of the fund is acquisition of residential and non-residential
premises in incomplete or under construction housing projects, also monitoring
the required measures to solve problems in the property market, taken under the
action plan.
To
support young people it was introduced additional educational grants, which are
awarded to full-time students of paid department of all specialties, grades of
evaluation "excellent", starting with a 3 - course. Since 2009,
"NWF" Samruk - Kazyna "provides long-term soft education loans
to certain categories of students in all courses enrolled in technical and
medical fields.
It should
be noted that at this stage in Kazakhstan they work out prospects for
implementation the social project of post-crisis world, the social Code of the
State, the social safety net compliance of social policy to the needs of
society and to ensure adequate social protection.
However,
despite some successes in the country are still many unsolved problems. One
major problem is that the economically Kazakhstan remains largely
commodity-dependent country. In developed countries the progressive economic
development is provided by new technological developments. Developed economies
are diversified, more sustainable, stable, promising and able to compete on a
global level.
As one
knows, one of the subjects to implement in social plan of the social state is
the development and practical implementation of the national standard of
quality of life. According to the "Concept of Civil Society in the Republic
of Kazakhstan for 2006 - 2011.", national standard defines such parameters
as: wages, pensions, social security and social services, the consumer basket,
the standard of medical services, the standard of educational services, social
standards of family support, common standards and information culture of the
citizen, the standards of ecological culture, standards, provision of housing,
utilities and consumer services. Functionally, the national standard provides
control of compliance with national standards and regulations, enforcement of
Constitutionally guaranteed social & economic rights (3). At the same, the
standard - is a kind of guideline for the implementation of social &
economic policy.
On the
basis of social policies lay the principle of subsidiary, that means solving
problems from the bottom to the upper level. The starting point is the
interests of individual, family, group, public association (4).
In the
performance of social assistance programs it is provided an extensive involvement
of non-governmental public organizations (NGOs) with a view to reduce
administrative costs at the lowest level and improve the efficiency of
higher-level systems. The Government is taking steps to promote the development
of regional non-governmental organizations, designed to solve local problems
and distribute in the country of the Institute of Volunteering (5).
Basing
on above mentioned, it should be enhanced social partnership between NGOs and
state institutions, stimulated the development of the volunteer movement, the
tradition of philanthropy in social assistance to vulnerable population groups.
It should
be emphasized that today’s stage of development of Kazakh society, social initiatives usually come from the
top, the State itself determine social policy. Other political forces,
associations, NGOs do not completely influence and shape the trends of modern
social policy. Of course, again this confirms the under-development of civil
society in Kazakhstan. And an effective social policy is a major factor and
construction principal that of the civil society.
In
summary, we can emphasize that the effectiveness of social policy in Kazakhstan
depends on the system of state regulation of growth, policy - legal framework,
institutional structures, the level of political culture of the population, as
well as the current economic, financial, legal, and cultural policy.
References:
1. Esping-Andersen G. The Three Words of Welfare
Capitaism. - Cambridge, 1996. - P. 26 -33.
2. The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. -
Astana, 2008, p.4.
3. Nazarbaev Through the crisis - to the renewal and
development: Message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the
people of Kazakhstan / / Kazakhstan Today. - 2009. - March 7
4. Titmuss R. Sozial Policy: An Introduction \ Ed. by
B. Abel-Smith K. Titmus. - London: Allen Unwin, 1974. - P. 30-31.
5. Decree of the President of the Republic of
Kazakhstan ¹ 156, July 25, 2006 "On the Concept of Civil Society in the
Republic of Kazakhstan for 2006 - 2011."
6. The same source.
7. The same
source,
Abstract
The paper analyzes the features of social policy
formation and implementation in the Republic of Kazakhstan for nawdays.