Head of State attended II meeting of National Public Confidence Council

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the members of the National Public Confidence Council, together with the representatives of state bodies, did a great job, took into account many proposals and initiatives, the negotiations of which was accompanied by heated discussions, Akorda’s press service informed.

As the Head of State emphasized, the Council’s primary task is to develop systemic, long-term, effective measures on pressing economic and political issues of the country.

“This work will give a powerful impetus to the strengthening of democracy and increase public confidence in the government. Our experience is highly appreciated by international organizations. In general, it gained recognition as an example of a responsible and constructive dialogue. Most importantly, the National Council justifies public trust. There is another important aspect. We are building a new political culture through constructive dialogue”, the President said.

According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the process of overcoming the fear of an alternative point of view is ongoing. In the activities of the NPCC, the presidential formula “different opinions - single nation” was directly embodied.

According to the Head of State, on the basis of consolidated decisions, the first reform package has been prepared. One of its most important points concerns the land issue and the rational use of agricultural land.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Ministry of Digital Development, should complete all preparatory work and conduct a pilot project for space monitoring of the land in a number of areas by May 1, 2020. In addition, we have to take other measures to strengthen control over the rational use of land. I believe that it is necessary to increase the basic tax rates for unused land from 10 to 20 times. It is also required to ensure a reduction in the period of non-use of agricultural land for forced withdrawal from the current two years to one year”, the President emphasized.

One of the most important issues is the accountability and openness of state structures, the rationality and transparency of budget spending. By decision of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Counting Committee will start publishing the main results of its audit activities for audited state bodies and organizations, the representatives of civil society will be on the boards of directors of socially significant enterprises of the quasi-public sector, work will begin to reduce the economic involvement of state-owned enterprises in competitive markets.

In addition, the legal framework for attracting foreign workers will change.

“The quota for attracting foreign labor for 2020 will be significantly reduced. The reduction will be about 40% from 49 thousand in 2019 to 29 thousand in 2020. Secondly, all enterprises of more than 250 people, attracting more than 30 foreign workers, will be covered by regular inspections. Now the Ministry of Labor will be able to quickly respond to any violations, including imbalances in wages, social conditions and so on, without allowing problems to accumulate”, the Head of State said.

The President’s speech noted the importance of transparency of information on the distribution of budget funds and on external debt. In this regard, before April 1, 2020, the ministries of national economy, finance and the National Bank will be instructed to develop a Unified Register of External Debt. To combat the shadow economy and the illicit circulation of financial resources, the Government, together with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, will create an open, integrated database of business entities.

Speaking about social reforms, the President considered the issue of targeted social assistance to large families to be still relevant. The Government has been tasked with providing transparent and fair targeted assistance. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the state should help only those who need it.

“It is proposed to establish a new state allowance for large families in differentiated sizes that are multiples of MCI, from 42.5 to 74 thousand tenge. In addition, children from low-income families will receive a guaranteed social package. Preschool children will be provided with food packages and other basic necessities. Pupils will receive free hot meals at schools, daily free travel to and from school, as well as school uniforms and school supplies”, the Head of State said.

People with disabilities will not be left without attention. Employers must provide special quotas for them.

The President postponed the introduction of a 5% pension contribution from employers.

“The discussions on the payment of the mandatory 5% pension contribution by employers do not stop. It was assumed that it will begin to operate on January 1, 2020, but so far there is no single position. Therefore, the deadline for introducing mandatory pension contributions by employers has been postponed until 2023”, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

Serious steps will be taken in the area of ​​reforming the current political system. According to the Head of State, it is necessary to start implementing the notification principle of organizing protests, which are permissible if they do not violate the law and public order.

“This is my principled position. You know it, we will consolidate it legislatively. The time has come to instill in the public consciousness a culture of rallies. It is time for both society and the state to adequately relate to the public expression of position. But one must understand that rallies are not only a right, but also a responsibility. Today at a meeting of the National Council, I want to say that in the framework of the implementation of the Plan for the implementation of the Presidential Address, a draft Law on peaceful protests has been developed. This is not just about changes to the current law, but about a conceptually new law that regulates the organization and conduct of all forms of peaceful protests. The Government should submit the draft law to the Parliament”, the President instructed.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev considers it possible to reduce the threshold value by the number of members of political parties for their registration by half: from 40 thousand to 20 thousand people. He also initiated the introduction of a mandatory 30 percent quota for women and youth in party lists. In addition, legislative norms will be introduced that affirm the rights of a political minority in the legislature, which will allow representatives of various parties to chair some parliamentary committees.

The Head of State also dwelled on resolving issues that were actively raised by human rights defenders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to begin the process of acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is also proposed to humanize article 174 of the Criminal Code. Another important issue that has long been discussed and causes heated debate in society is article 130 of the Criminal Code on defamation.

“On the example of discussion on this norm, you can see how difficult it is often to find a single solution. After all, it is necessary to take into account all the points - legal, humanitarian, ethical and international standards. Based on the analysis of all the positions and nuances of this issue, I decided to decriminalize article 130 of the Criminal Code and transfer it to the Administrative Code. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a high measure of responsibility in order to guarantee the rights of other citizens and protect them from slanderous fabrications and attacks”, the President of Kazakhstan said.

At the end of his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that democracy is a huge responsibility of both the authorities and citizens, which should serve the development and creation, and not disunity and collapse. According to him, Kazakhstanis are called upon to carry out a historical mission - to show by their own example how to overcome any obstacles through a constructive dialogue between the authorities and the people.

The meeting was moderated by the head of the Presidential Administration Yerlan Koshanov. President’s Advisor - Secretary of the National Council Yerlan Karin, members of the NPCC Yerlan Sairov, Sayassat Nurbek and Mukhtar Taizhan also made reports.

Photo by Bauyrzhan Zhuasbayev