Kazakhstan is stepping up efforts to combat human trafficking. Authorities plan to increase oversight of recruitment agencies, intermediaries offering employment abroad and suspicious online job postings. The government has approved a 2027–2029 action plan aimed at identifying cases of forced labor and protecting Kazakhstani citizens from exploitation.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed the resolution on Oct. 28, and it has since taken effect.
Monitoring suspicious job postings
Job advertisements can be used to lure people into forced labor and sexual exploitation. To prevent this, authorities plan to monitor online employment offers more closely.
If a job posting is found to be linked to human trafficking, access to it may be restricted through the Cyber-Oversight (Cybernadzor) system or by court order.
Intermediaries who help Kazakhstani citizens find jobs abroad will also face increased scrutiny. Specifically, the government plans to establish a registry of private employment agencies on the migration.enbek.kz portal.
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Registering citizens seeking work abroad
Another measure concerns Kazakhstani citizens traveling overseas for employment. Starting in 2027, authorities plan to introduce a registration system for labor migrants to better monitor potential risks of exploitation.
Changes will also be made to the consular registration system, making it easier to locate and assist Kazakhstani citizens who find themselves in difficult circumstances abroad.
The resolution does not introduce any new restrictions on leaving the country or require citizens to obtain a separate permit to work overseas.
Support for human trafficking victims
The action plan addresses not only forced labor but also child trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced begging.
Victims will be able to receive assistance through crisis centers providing legal and social support. Authorities also plan to conduct regional inspections to identify cases of exploitation and improve victim protection.
