KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS

Nurshat Karatay; Adina Kamytbekova

KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS

Abstract

Labour migration in Kazakhstan has gradually evolved from an unstructured mechanism of economic adaptation into a more formalised component of national policy. This article examines the institutional and legal framework of migration governance through an analysis of Kazakhstan’s migration policy concepts and regulatory mechanisms. Particular attention is given to the foreign labour quota system, preferential migration arrangements for nationals of the Eurasian Economic Union, and the emergence of relocation migration following recent geopolitical developments. The study also analyses regulatory distinctions between corporate and individual labour migration and considers the broader regional dynamics of labour mobility in Central Asia. In addition, the article explores the role of bilateral labour agreements and international organizations in shaping migration governance and protecting the socio-economic rights of migrant workers. Despite ongoing reforms, informal labour practices continue to limit the effectiveness of state regulation. The findings suggest that Kazakhstan’s migration policy aims to balance labour market protection with the need to attract qualified foreign labour.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regional Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nurshat Karatay ^* This is me
0009-0004-5049-1490
Kazakhstan

Adina Kamytbekova This is me
0009-0007-9238-0512
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

May 1, 2026

Submission Date

April 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karatay, N., & Kamytbekova, A. (2026). KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(2), 163-184. https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP

AMA

1.Karatay N, Kamytbekova A. KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS. ERJ. 2026;8(2):163-184. https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP

Chicago

Karatay, Nurshat, and Adina Kamytbekova. 2026. “KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (2): 163-84. https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP.

EndNote

Karatay N, Kamytbekova A (May 1, 2026) KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS. Eurasian Research Journal 8 2 163–184.

IEEE

[1]N. Karatay and A. Kamytbekova, “KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 163–184, May 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP

ISNAD

Karatay, Nurshat - Kamytbekova, Adina. “KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/2 (May 1, 2026): 163-184. https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP.

JAMA

1.Karatay N, Kamytbekova A. KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS. ERJ. 2026;8:163–184.

MLA

Karatay, Nurshat, and Adina Kamytbekova. “KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 163-84, https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP.

Vancouver

1.Nurshat Karatay, Adina Kamytbekova. KAZAKHSTAN’S LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DYNAMICS AND STRATEGIC REFORMS. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 May 1;8(2):163-84. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA35YU25XP