Part-time work outside school hours has become for Kazakh teenagers not just a way to earn their first personal money, but a fairly tangible source of income: various employers offer them average salaries of 100,000–380,000 tenge. NUR.KZ journalists looked into the details, the website infohub.kz reports.
Children usually receive their first personal money from their parents. However, many of them find part-time work while still teenagers. Specialists at Freedom Life, a life insurance company, conducted a study on teenage employment and found out how and how much schoolchildren earn, what opportunities exist for this and what financial risks they face.
It is important to note that in Kazakhstan, as a general rule, an employment contract can be concluded from the age of 16. However, the law also provides for exceptions: from 15 — after receiving basic secondary or general secondary education; from 14 — for light work in free time from studies, provided that it does not harm health and does not interfere with education; under 14 — for participation in the creation or performance of works in cinematography organizations, theaters, concert organizations and circuses.
Restrictions on working hours and types of work performed are also established for teenagers. In particular, they are prohibited from being involved in heavy labor, work with harmful or dangerous conditions and other activities that could harm their health or moral development.
In Kazakhstan, schoolchildren can find part-time work in trade, public catering, services and landscaping. According to analysts, the salary offered depends on the position and can range from 85,000 to 380,000 tenge per month.
For example, in job openings for the position of cloakroom attendant, salaries vary around 85,000–130,000 tenge. Cleaners are offered from 90,000 tenge, and assistant teachers — around 100,000–160,000 tenge.
Higher salaries are offered to waiters — 100,000–300,000 tenge — as well as to salespeople-cashiers — 100,000–380,000 tenge. Sales consultants and couriers start at 150,000 tenge. Postmen are offered from 130,000 tenge.
Teenagers can also earn money from advertising shoots and participation in film and modeling projects. Public advertisements include one-time fees from 15,000 tenge for a music video shoot to 40,000–70,000 tenge for an advertising shift.
Schoolchildren can also edit short videos and run social media accounts. Some job openings offer about 50,000 tenge per month for simple video editing, and about 100,000 tenge for SMM (social media marketing). However, not all such offers are available to minors.
At the same time, Kazakhstanis looking for part-time work, especially online, should be careful, because there is always a risk of encountering a fraudster rather than an honest employer.
As for older teenagers, better-paid positions are already available to them. We previously reported that average salaries for workers aged 16–24 range from 256,000 to 380,000 tenge, but it all depends on the field of activity.