China and Turkey biggest sources of labor migrants to Kazakhstan

China and Turkey are responsible for biggest numbers of labor migrants to Kazakhstan, KazTag reports, citing the country’s Ministry of Labor. “19.5% of labor migrants come from China, with another 11.5% coming from Turkey”, according to handouts distributed at the Ministry’s extended sitting February 7. 62% of foreign workforce in 2012 were employed with construction and mining companies. According to the Ministry, in 2012 a total of 2 792 companies imported workforce. These companies employ 389 000 Kazakhstan’s specialists, with the other 22 000 (5.4%) being foreigners. In 2012 the quota for imported workforce stood at 90 000 (1% of the country’s economically active population). As of January 1, 2013 the overall number of valid work permits for migrants regardless of their country of origin totaled 21 712. In 2012 a total of 23 978 work permits were issued.