Kyrgyzstan Introduces Shorter Hours for High-Risk Jobs

The Kyrgyz government has approved an updated list of worker categories classified as operating under “special working conditions,” introducing reduced working hours for employees in these roles.

According to the official decree, the initiative is intended to formally regulate working time for professionals engaged in high-stress or hazardous occupations, taking into account the specific nature and risks associated with their duties, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

The regulation applies to more than 100 professions spanning healthcare, sanitary and epidemiological supervision, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as social and educational institutions. Under the new rules, many workers in these sectors will have their daily working hours reduced to five or six hours, depending on their specific responsibilities and workplace conditions.

Particular emphasis was placed on medical professions associated with heightened occupational risks during the preparation of the list. These include staff working with infectious diseases, patients in psychiatric and tuberculosis facilities, emergency medical personnel, employees of pathology departments, and morgue workers. The list also covers laboratory specialists who handle hazardous pathogens or toxic substances, as well as those exposed to ionizing radiation or radioactive materials.

In addition, special provisions have been introduced for medical professionals involved in gamma therapy and experimental gamma irradiation. For these categories, the government has established a maximum working day of four hours, the shortest limit among all professions covered by the new regulation.