Can former officials return to government positions after being dismissed?

In Kazakhstan, new restrictions on the hiring of government officials were implemented at the beginning of this year. Now, for civil servants, the length of time since an offense occurred plays a significant role, as reported by Pavlodarnews.kz.

https://www.nur.kz/politics/kazakhstan/2216114-mogut-li-eks-chinovniki-snova-zanyat-dolzhnosti-na-gossluzhbe-posle-uvolneniya/2025-01-29 08:28:10

According to Askat Iskenderov, the head of the Department of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs in Pavlodar Region, it is possible to be reemployed in the akimat or management even after dismissal for serious offenses—everything depends on the statute of limitations.

"One year from the date of dismissal if a person lost their job due to the Ethical Code. If it’s due to discrediting the civil service, then two years. If a person was dismissed for committing a corruption offense, it’s three years. Or if they committed a criminal offense," explained Askat Iskenderov.

A five-year restriction can be imposed in the case of legal proceedings. If it concerns a medium severity crime and the case was closed for non-rehabilitating reasons, then one cannot enter civil service for eight years. If a candidate wishes to take on a leadership position, an additional three years is added to the restriction period.

"Last year, the president signed a decree that expanded the list of individuals subject to mandatory rotation. A person can work for up to four years, and the leader may extend the rotation period to six years. Up to eight years is only possible with the consent of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs. Eight years is the period for mandatory rotation," added Askat Iskenderov.

In Pavlodar Region, 17 civil servants are subject to rotation. Among them, there are exceptions—four individuals of pre-retirement age are allowed to continue working in their previous positions.

In November of last year, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made changes to his decrees regarding measures to improve the functioning of the state apparatus. Now, for failure to comply with or improper execution of orders from the President of Kazakhstan, the leadership of the Presidential Administration based on and/or in execution of the President's orders, a disciplinary sanction is imposed on political civil servants.

This year, amendments to the legislation on combating corruption are being considered in the Mazhilis, including the introduction of a public register of corrupt individuals. This is proposed with the aim of public condemnation and intolerance towards corruption in society.