Raising the Status of Skilled Trades Depends Largely on Enterprise Leadership
Photo: Kazpravda. kz / Yuriy Bekker
By presidential decree, 2025 has been declared the Year of Skilled Trades in Kazakhstan. In this context, it’s encouraging to recognize that for many years now, there have been companies across the country that — throughout more than 30 years of independence — have consistently upheld high standards in supporting and enhancing the prestige of those we often refer to as «true hard workers.” One such company is Bahus JSC.
«We're probably one of the few enterprises still in operation that can boast real stability and a nearly seamless transition from socialist economic norms to a market-based economy,” says Olga Volonikhina, Executive Director of Bahus JSC. «That said, some of our longtime employees — those who worked here back in Soviet times — joke that socialism still lives on at our plant. But that’s not entirely accurate. What we actually embraced was a model of so-called «capitalism with a human face,' where business is built not on ruthless exploitation, but on a genuine consideration for the well-being of everyone in the team. And our skilled workers are treated with the same respect as our engineers and managers. That’s why we have such low staff turnover and such high productivity — because our people see that the company values each of them individually, and they work with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility.”
Everyone at the company — from warehouse workers to top-level executives — eats at the company canteen, where a full meal (starter, main, and dessert) costs just 600 tenge. The menu is varied and nutritious. The company also offers employees access to its own gym, a wellness retreat at hot springs, and even a daycare center close to the factory. It’s also worth highlighting the company’s in-house medical center, which plays an essential role in supporting employee health.
Read the rest of the article here: kazpravda.kz/n/kogda-truditsya-ne-v-tyagost/