On March 29, 2013, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (according to Resolution No. 298) introduced foreign working permit quotas for the priority project 'Reconstruction and modernisation of Atyrau oil refinery' in 2013. The quotas are set as follows (also see related GTA measure below):

• Category 1 - chief executive officers and their deputies: one person;
• Category 2 - heads of divisions: 28 people;
• Category 3 - specialists that possess qualification, set out by law: 165 people;
• Category 4 - qualified workers that possess qualification, set out by law: 205 people.

In addition, the employer (Kazakhstani subsidy of SINOPEC Engine) must comply with the following ratio of local to foreign employees:

• not less than 50% for Categories 1 and 2;
• not less than 80% for Category 3.
• not less than 90% for Category 4.

 
The measure came into effect on 3 April 2013.