Foreign workforce in oil-producing Atyrau oblast slashed by 1/3

The headcount of foreign workforce in Ayurau oblast, the major oil producing region in Kazakhstan, was cut down by 31.5% in 2012, a Tengrinews.kz journalist reports, citing the oblast Governor’s Office Press Service. As of the start of 2013, the region is home to 212 industrial enterprises that employ foreign workforce. The overall number of employees stands at 35 176 people, with 81.8% of them being Kazakhstan citizens and slightly over 12% being foreigners. The local Committee responsible for granting work permits held a total of 15 sittings in 2012. 6894 permits were issued. This year 423 foreign specialists have been denied work permits due to improper documents or failure to comply with certain requirements. According to the press service, the mentioned industrial enterprises have created over 5000 jobs for Kazakhstan citizens.