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8 January, 2026Effective social dialogue between trade unions, government and social partners has resulted in a major improvement for workers in the Kyrgyz Republic, with daily allowances for work related travel and bonuses for shift (rotational) work has doubled from 1 January 2026.
The increases were confirmed on 4 December 2025 following decisions taken within formal social dialogue mechanisms. The outcome reflects years of engagement by trade unions, including IndustriALL affiliate Mining and Metallurgy Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan, which consistently raised the inadequacy of existing allowances in national and sectoral dialogue forums.
Under the new provisions, daily allowances for work related travel within the country’s regions have increased from 500 to 1,000 Kyrgyz soms (approximately US$6 to US$11). For work related travel to the capital, Bishkek, allowances have risen from 600 to 1,200 Kyrgyz soms (approximately US$7 to US$14).
As shift (rotational) work bonuses are calculated on the basis of daily allowances, the decision also brings a significant increase in payments for workers engaged in rotational work. The shift work bonus now stands at 1,000 Kyrgyz soms (around US$11) per day. For a typical 15-day shift period, this amounts to 15,000 Kyrgyz soms (approximately US$170).
Trade unions had long argued in social dialogue forums that the previous allowance levels, unchanged since 2016, no longer reflected the real costs faced by workers. Rising prices and inflation meant that allowances often failed to cover basic expenses such as food, transport and other necessities, effectively weakening workers’ social and economic protection.
Through sustained participation in social dialogue at national and sectoral levels, unions succeeded in building consensus around the need to update the allowances and align them with current living and working conditions. The resulting agreement demonstrates the practical value of institutionalised social dialogue in delivering concrete improvements for workers.
Welcoming the outcome, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan said:
“This is a clear example of how persistent and united trade union action delivers concrete improvements in workers’ lives. Doubling daily allowances and shift work bonuses in Kyrgyzstan is an important step towards restoring fairness and dignity at work and it shows what can be achieved through strong social dialogue and collective advocacy.”
The decision reflects the potential of social dialogue to deliver concrete improvements for workers, while also highlighting the need to further strengthen and deepen inclusive dialogue mechanisms to ensure labour policies consistently respond to workers’ real needs in the country.