Within the framework of the XXIII Congress of the Trade Union Confederation of the Republic of Turkey “Turk-Is”, which is being held on December 5-6 in Ankara, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FPRK) Yeraly Tugzhanov and the President of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions “Turk-Is” Ergun Etalay signed a Memorandum on cooperation.
During a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, the Head of the FPRK, Yeraly Tugzhanov, noted that in Kazakhstan, since joining the International Labor Organization (ILO), the institution of social partnership and with it the trade union movement have existed and are developing dynamically.
“Tripartite consultations, recommendations and negotiations on social, economic and labor issues between social partners serve as the basis for reducing social tension in society and in this regard, trade unions have a leading role in social dialogue,” emphasized Yeraly Tuganzhanov.
According to the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in enterprises where there are trade unions, safe working conditions, stable labor relations, timely wages, and social benefits and compensation are guaranteed.
“Today, the collective agreement is the main instrument for the protection of the social and labor rights of workers by trade unions and an indicator of the effectiveness of joint work with the employer,” said the Head of the FPRK.
Addressing the President of the Turk-Ish Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions, to Ergyun Etalai Eraly Tugzhanov, noted with satisfaction that the national trade centers (Kazakhstan and Turkey) maintain business contacts and ties aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and developing cooperation between trade unions and workers of Kazakhstan and Turkey.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed further cooperation: the development of social partnership, providing the population with work, and an active policy in the fight against unemployment, the regulation of social and labor relations with collective agreements, and labor safety. Also, in order to prepare trade union leaders, the parties agreed on joint activities to improve the qualifications of trade union personnel.
The heads of trade unions of Kazakhstan and Turkey expressed confidence that the Memorandum will contribute to the development of further mutual understanding of the working people of the two countries, strengthen cooperation and partnerships.
Turk-Ish is the oldest and largest national center of trade unions in Turkey, of which 820 thousand are members. It unites 33 affiliates in 20 industrial sectors of the Republic of Turkey. Turk-Is is a member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the president of this organization, Ergun Etalai, is ITC Vice-President and member of the ITUC Executive Committee. Turk-Is is also a member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and is a member of the trade union advisory committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
For reference: The XX-th Congress of the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Turkey “Turk-Is”, held on December 5-6 in Ankara, is attended by representatives of the ILO, ITUC, as well as leaders of national trade union associations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Albania, Pakistan, ITUC (Asia Pacific), Ukraine, ETUC, Kosovo, International Federation of Transport Workers (ITF), Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH), Greece, Belarus, Macedonia, Palestine.