Labor relations and hiring of foreign workers

6.1.Legal Framework

Labor relations in the Kyrgyz Republic are regulated by labor legislation aimed at ensuring a balance of interests between employees and employers, protecting the labor rights of employees, and creating favorable conditions for entrepreneurial activities.

In 2025, a new Labor Code came into force in the Kyrgyz Republic, replacing the previously effective 2004 Code.

Labor legislation regulates issues related to the conclusion, modification, and termination of employment contracts, working hours and rest periods, remuneration, occupational safety, labor discipline, as well as the provision of guarantees and compensations to employees. The legislation applies to all employers and employees operating within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, including organizations with foreign participation and branches of foreign companies.

Key Regulatory Legal Acts

Labor Code of the Kyrgyz Republic dated January 23, 2025 No. 23 (hereinafter – Labor Code); Law of the KR "On Occupational Safety" dated June 5, 2026 No. 82; Law of the KR "On External Labor Migration" dated January 13, 2006 No. 4

Authorized Body

Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic

6.2.Main Conditions of Labor Relations

The basis for the establishment of labor relations is an employment contract concluded between the employer and the employee. The employment contract may be concluded for an indefinite period or for a fixed term not exceeding 5 years (fixed-term employment contract) in cases provided by law. 32

Upon termination of labor relations, employers are obliged to comply with the procedures and guarantees for employees provided by law.

Normal working hours

No more than 40 hours per week

Reduced working hours

Established for minors, employees engaged in heavy physical work, work with harmful or dangerous working conditions, and certain categories of employees

Annual main paid leave

28 calendar days

Probationary period

Up to 3 months; for heads of organizations and their deputies, chief accountants and their deputies, heads of branches, representative offices, and other separate structural subdivisions of the organization – up to 6 months

Fixed-term employment contract

Up to 5 years in cases provided for by law

Salary

The amount of salary is determined by the employment contract and cannot be lower than the established minimum wage

Frequency of salary payment

At least once a month

Overtime work

Permitted in cases provided by law with increased pay or provision of additional rest time

Work on weekends and non-working public holidays

Permitted in limited cases, usually with increased pay or provision of additional rest time

Termination of the employment contract

By agreement of the parties, at the initiative of the employee, at the initiative of the employer, upon expiration of the term of the employment contract, and on other grounds provided by law

Art. 18 of the Labor Code of the Kyrgyz Republic dated January 23, 2025 No. 23

6.3.Hiring of foreign workers

Foreign citizens may engage in labor activities in the Kyrgyz Republic in accordance with the requirements of labor and migration legislation.

The attraction of foreign labor is carried out on the basis of annually established quotas. To engage in labor activities, a foreign citizen must obtain a unified permit combining a work visa and a work permit.33 At the same time, citizens of the EAEU member states have the right to engage in labor activities on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic without obtaining a unified permit based on contracts concluded with employers (hirers).

Clause 53 of the Temporary Regulation on the Procedure for Issuing Visas of the Kyrgyz Republic, Unified Permit for Stay and Labor Activity on the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic for Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons, and Resident Card of the Kyrgyz Republic (approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the KR dated April 30, 2026 No. 312).