Kyrgyzstan's deputy Gulsharkan Kultaeva has proposed a bill introducing a new type of social benefit to support individuals without pension rights, families with children under 16, children with unknown parents, and children born to mothers living with HIV/AIDS. The draft law is currently open for public discussion.
As of November 1, 2023, the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration reported that 391.9 thousand people were receiving state benefits, with 283.1 thousand receiving "ui-bulogo komok" benefits and 108.8 thousand receiving monthly social benefits. The average "ui-bulogo komok" benefit was 1,200 soms, and the social benefit was 5,041 soms. A total of 14 billion 587 million 466.3 thousand soms have been allocated from the national budget for social benefits in 2023.
The bill aims to address the inefficiencies of the current social support system in protecting vulnerable populations from poverty and ensuring a decent standard of living. The rising prices of essential goods and medicines further contribute to the financial and social challenges faced by those dependent on social benefits.
To enhance the living conditions of vulnerable populations, the proposal suggests providing an additional annual social benefit. The specific amount of this benefit will be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers based on budgetary constraints and the economic situation, while considering the subsistence minimum.
