Almaty cracks down on delivery services after courier safety concerns surge

Almaty authorities have called for stricter oversight of delivery services after a recent high-profile incident involving a courier. The meeting brought together city officials, businesses, and the public to address gaps in safety and legal compliance within the industry. Discussions focused on tightening regulations to better protect both workers and residents.

The Almaty City Prosecutor's Office stressed the need for closer cooperation between the state and businesses to protect citizens' interests. Prosecutors highlighted that all delivery aggregators must follow existing laws, assess their own compliance, and ensure couriers are legally employed. They also pushed for internal company rules to match legal standards, with stronger oversight of working conditions.

Aydyn Kabuldinov, head of Almaty's Police Department, proposed several measures to improve accountability. These included mandatory biometric identification for couriers, a ban on transferring delivery accounts between workers, and stricter controls on foreign labor. He also called for continuous monitoring of traffic rule compliance among couriers.

Participants at the meeting examined ways to remove incentives for rushed deliveries, which often lead to accidents. Unlike other major Kazakh cities, Almaty is the first to push for such regulatory changes in the delivery sector over the past two years. The goal is to create a safer, more transparent system for both workers and customers.

The proposed changes aim to bring delivery services in line with legal requirements while reducing risks to public safety. If implemented, the new rules would mark a significant shift in how courier work is regulated in Kazakhstan. Authorities plan to work closely with businesses to ensure the measures are enforced effectively.