Increasing the economic activity of unemployed: Activation policy and motivational strategies

Activation policy related to increasing social benefits, recipients’ personal obligations, and responsibility for employment is implemented in Kazakhstan’s social well-being system. Although this policy is associated with some legislative and institutional measures, it is applied by caseworkers through their daily work. Motivational strategies used by specialists to increase unemployed economic activity have been widely studied abroad but remain overlooked in Kazakhstan. This study explored motivational strategies applied to increase unemployed economic activity in Kazakhstan. In-depth interviews with the Labor Mobility Center’s employees (n = 12) and structured observations of their interaction (n = 32) were conducted. Qualitative and quantitative analysis showed the most common strategies were: development of motivation for success; empathy and trusting relationships. Employees also applied a strategy to encourage self-understanding, remuneration, and sanctions, conveying vision, adjusting job seekers' expectations, and breaking down the hierarchy in relationships. An important condition for successful motivational strategies was an individual approach based on the requests of applicants. At the same time, the use of motivational strategies was rather intuitive and involved paternalistic attitudes. The findings can be applied to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of employment policy in Kazakhstan within in the daily practice of the social protection system’s employees.