THE MEMBERS OF THE FTURK GENERAL COUNCIL SUMMED UP THE RESULTS OF 2021 AND DEFINED THE TASKS FOR THE COMING YEAR

On December 24, 2021, a meeting of the General Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held, during which the results of the activities of the FTURK for 2021 were considered.

Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the FTURK Satybaldy Dauletalin congratulated the members of the General Council on Independence Day, noting the special role of the First President in the formation of Independent Kazakhstan and the formation of an effective system for the protection of workers’ rights.

“Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev is a symbol of the Independence of our country.  By the decision of the General Council, the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was awarded the highest award of the Federation of Trade Unions “Kasipodak Danky”, with the entry of his name in the Book of Glory of the Federation of Trade Unions,” Satybaldy Dauletalin said.

The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions announced a reply letter on behalf of Elbasy to the Federation of Trade Unions, in which the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed his gratitude and highly appreciated the role of the trade union movement.

“I want to congratulate you on the 30th anniversary of Independence and express my sincere gratitude for your good wishes, as well as for the decision to award the highest award of the Federation of Trade Unions – Kasipodak Danki. Thank you for the high appreciation of my work for the benefit of our Motherland. I wish the Federation of Trade Unions further success in ensuring the interests and rights of workers, good health, well-being and prosperity to your families. May our sovereign country achieve even greater success, and the people of Kazakhstan prosper!”, – stated in the text of the letter of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The members of the General Council expressed their enthusiasm for the recognition of the merits of the trade union movement.

“In the rapidly changing conditions of the socio-economic life of society, trade unions must find new formats of work, adjust their actions and take an even stronger position on the protection of workers’ rights,” Dauletalin urged Satybaldy.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan Satybaldy Dauletalin made a report on the activities of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The head of the FTURK first of all focused on measures to support the primary trade union link and build a system of “feedback” with labor collectives within the framework of the “Year of the Primary Trade Union Organization”.

“Holding the year of the primary trade union organization helped to increase the role of trade unions, establish feedback. The action “How do you live, primary?” allowed ordinary members of the trade union to directly discuss topical issues not only with the leadership of the FTURK, but also with employers, deputies of the Mazhilis and representatives of state bodies. A total of 984 meetings were held, which were attended by 57 thousand members of the trade union. At the same time, none of the 545 problematic issues were ignored – 372 issues found their positive solution, and another 173 of their proposals were sent to working groups to amend legislation. The results of the campaign confirmed its effectiveness, so we will continue the practice of visiting primary schools in 2022,” the Chairman of the FTURK stressed.

He also recalled the holding of the Republican Review competition for the title of “The best primary Trade Union Organization of 2021”, which was attended by more than 400 primary trade union organizations, 23 of which became its winners.

The Chairman of the FTURK made a special emphasis on the work on the development of social partnership.

He noted the initiatives of trade unions reflected in the General Agreement.

“We have achieved the inclusion in the General Agreement of issues on the gradual increase in the minimum wage, its annual indexation, the ratification of ILO Convention №131 and the development of a Roadmap for the implementation of the Concept of Decent Work. Currently, the Ministry of Labor has approved an Action Plan, in the implementation of which we must take an active part. Our representatives joined the working group to consider the issue of raising the minimum wage,” Satybaldy Dauletalin said.

The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions called the decision of the President of the country to increase the minimum wage from 42,500 to 60,000 tenge from January 1, 2022, as well as an increase in the wages of public sector employees, one of the important achievements of the FTURK.

“The President publicly and unequivocally supported our position. This is a good trend when the state, being in fact the largest employer in the country, sets a general course to increase wages in all sectors of the economy,” the Head of the FTURK said.

Positive changes have been noted in the work of the tripartite commissions on social partnership. As Satybaldy Dauletalin stressed, at the initiative of the FTURK, regional tripartite commissions were headed by akims today, the practice of co-chairmanship of the chairmen of Trade Union centers was introduced, the format of visiting meetings is used, special sections “Social Partnership” are open on the websites of akimats.

Along with this, the importance of joint implementation of a step-by-step Algorithm of joint actions for the prevention and resolution of labor conflicts was noted. Today, the FTURK participates in the work of the Situation Center under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, monitoring groups have been created in the regions analyzing the level of conflict.

At the same time, Satybaldy Dauletalin stressed that the participation of the FTURK in the negotiation processes of all 73 registered labor conflicts led to an early agreement.

He recalled that on the basis of the proposals of the FTURK, the Government approved a Roadmap to address problematic issues at the country’s oilfield service enterprises, and also created an Interdepartmental headquarters in Zhanaozen with the participation of representatives from trade unions.

Significant results of the work were noted in the field of collective-contractual regulation of labor relations.

According to the Chairman of the FTURK, the coverage of collective agreements at enterprises with trade unions is more than 97%.

“Where there are trade unions, issues of social and labor relations are regulated on the basis of collective agreements. In 1895 collective agreements, an annual indexation of wages is established,” the Chairman of the FTURK stressed.

He called on the professional leaders to strengthen the work to improve the quality of collective agreements.

In order to develop a constructive dialogue with employers and the Government, the Chairman of the FTURK announced a proposal to declare 2022 the “Year of Social Partnership”.

“The Year of Social Partnership will give a new impetus to strengthening the implementation of all areas of social partnership,” the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions stressed.

An important item on the trade union agenda is the development of international cooperation. The head of the FTURK noted significant progress in this direction.

In 2021, representatives of the FTURK took an active part in the events of international organizations. Visits to Georgia, Switzerland, Belgium, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan took place.

“During negotiations with Maria Helena Andre, Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities ACTRAV, Sharan Barrow, Secretary General of the ITUC, and heads of structures of these organizations, international FTURK noted positive changes in the activities of the FTURK and assured of support for the development of the potential of trade unions. As a result of the meetings, agreements were reached on the continuation of cooperation and the implementation of a number of joint projects. During the visits to Georgia and Azerbaijan, the issues of restoring membership in the ITUC and the CPSU were discussed. Foreign partners expressed support for the membership of the FTURK in the MCP and the CPSU. An important step was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan,” the Head of the FTURK noted.

The creation of the Council of Trade Unions of the Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – was a historic event.

FTURK

The General Council of the FTURK approved the participation of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the creation of the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian Countries, noting that cooperation in the Central Asian region has reached a new level.

“We have managed not only to successfully resume contacts, but also to define new guidelines in cooperation with international partners. In 2022, we will continue to work on international cooperation and strengthen ties with trade union centers of foreign countries, the ILO, and the Foundation. Friedrich Ebert, National Resident Coordinator of the United Nations. The main task for the coming year is the restoration of the membership of the FTURK in the International Confederation of Trade Unions, as well as the General Confederation of Trade Unions,” stressed Satybaldy Dauletalin.

Satybaldу Dauletalin paid special attention to the issues of labor safety.

“Our proposals to strengthen public control and improve the status of technical inspectors on labor protection are reflected in the “Action Plan to ensure safe work in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025” and in the draft “Concept of safe work until 2030″, developed by the Ministry of Labor on behalf of the Head of State. Our initiatives were also supported by the deputy requests of the deputies of the Majilis of the Parliament,” Satybaldy Dauletalin said.

At the same time, according to him, a high level of industrial injuries remains in the country and called for intensifying work on the creation of production councils, organizing the work of technical inspectors.

“Over the past year, 1,197 employees suffered at the enterprises of the republic, including 144 people who did not return home. The analysis of accidents at work showed that most of the accidents took place at enterprises where trade unions were not established, and in 63% of cases, there was one hundred percent fault of the employer,” the Head of the FTURK noted.

Satybaldy Dauletalin also reported on the contribution of trade unions to the improvement of legislation.

“The FTURK took part in the consideration of 45 draft laws within the framework of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the development and adoption of 96 regulatory legal acts and conducted 67 examinations of regulatory legal acts. Proposals have been made to a number of draft laws in terms of improving the legal regulation of remote work, social protection of certain categories of citizens, on public control and the social code,” Satybaldy Dauletalin said.

At the same time, he noted the need to create legal conditions to achieve optimal coordination of the interests of the parties to labor relations within the framework of labor legislation.

Meanwhile, within the framework of human rights activities, trade unions provided legal assistance to 12,533 trade union members.

A number of important steps have been taken by trade unions in the development of the training system. 619 training seminars were held covering more than 38 thousand members of the trade union. “Within the framework of the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian countries, we proposed to create a single educational hub on the basis of the Trade Union Academy under the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, where our representatives can be trained,” Satybaldy Dauletalin stressed.

The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions spoke about new trends in the implementation of information, gender and youth policy, improving award activities, ensuring transparency and involving member organizations in the asset management process of the RUTU FTURK.

The head of the FTURK announced a number of priority tasks for the coming year.

“Our country is in an ambiguous situation of internal cohesion. It is necessary to effectively restructure our work to the result that ordinary members of the trade union expect from us,” the Chairman of the FTURK noted.

First of all, he called for updating sectoral and regional agreements to ensure their compliance with the provisions of the General Agreement for 2021-2023.

At the same time, the need for the implementation of the Action Plan to ensure Safe work in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025, the further implementation of the project “People’s Control” and joining the Concept of “Vision Zero” was outlined.

Work will also continue to improve legislation, train trade union personnel, develop digitalization of trade unions and introduce efficiency improvements in trade union activities.

After hearing the report on the work of the Federation of Trade Unions, the members of the General Council highly appreciated the achievements and expressed support for the activities of the Federation of Trade Unions.

Chairman of the Branch Trade Union of Nuclear Industry Workers Kassymzhan Madiyev noted the importance of further development of the practice of trade union training.

“The Nuclear Industry Workers’ Union pays special attention to the training of trade union leaders and professional activists. I would like to note that the seminars of the FTURK are accessible and understandable. We ask you to pay special attention to the training program on the issues of the employee remuneration system,” Kassymzhan Madiyev suggested.

Mirbolat Zhakypov, Chairman of the Branch Trade Union of Employees of State, Banking Institutions and Public Services, expressed support for the initiatives of the FTURK.

“Trade unions have felt a new impetus in trade union work – the establishment of international relations, social partnership, new approaches in branding. We support all initiatives of the Federation of Trade Unions. Awarding the highest award of the Federation of Trade Unions of Elbasy to N.A.Nazarbayev is a worthy and wise decision. The First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan has shown personal support and concern for trade unions for 30 years. The announcement of 2022 as the “Year of Social Partnership” is also an urgent and timely step,” Mirbolat Zhakypov stressed.

Chairman of the Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Industry Trade Union Elena Mustafina noted that the Federation of Trade Unions has done a lot of work and achieved positive results.

She voiced a number of proposals to improve labor legislation on the issue of regulating employer liability in the field of labor protection.

Chairman of the Republican Trade Union of Education and Science Workers Aigul Mukasheva stressed the importance of the FTURK’s measures to develop international cooperation.

“During the visit of the FTURK delegation to international organizations and foreign trade union centers, all international experts gave a high assessment of the activities of the Federation of Trade Unions. I am sure that the membership of the FTURK in international organizations will give a new impetus to the development of the trade union movement of Kazakhstan,” Aigul Mukasheva said.

Chairman of the branch trade union of small and medium-sized business workers “YNTYMAQ” Kayrakbay Zhanabekov noted the achievements of the Federation of Trade Unions in strengthening social partnership, resolving and preventing labor conflicts.

Svetlana Imankulova, Chairman of the Branch Trade Union of Workers of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Information, expressed support for the initiatives of the Federation of Trade Unions.

“A lot of work has been done. The report of the Federation of Trade Unions is informative and detailed. Thank you for the openness and publicity. We are facing even more demanding tasks. Together we will strive for further achievements,” Svetlana Imankulova stressed.

The draft Code of Trade Union Ethics of the Federation of Trade Unions was considered as part of the agenda of the General Council.

Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gulnara Zhumageldiyeva reported that the Code of Trade Union Ethics of the Federation of Trade Unions establishes norms and rules of conduct for trade union members, trade union workers, members of elected bodies of the Federation of Trade Unions and its affiliated organizations, as well as measures of influence for non-compliance with ethical standards.

“The Code is aimed at strengthening public confidence in trade union organizations, forming a high culture of mutual relations in trade union activities. Compliance with these values will allow us to maintain and develop corporate culture,” Gulnara Zhumageldieva said.

The General Council considered the issue of financial activities of the Federation of Trade Unions.

According to the First Deputy Chairman of the FTURK Mukhtar Tinikeev, in 2022 the Federation of Trade Unions will significantly strengthen measures of social support for employees of the staff and regional Trade Union centers.

In particular, it is planned to increase the wages of employees with indexation, provide medical insurance for employees, increase material support for veterans of the trade union movement, expand the staff of the Federation of Trade Unions, as well as strengthen the material and technical equipment of the FTURK.

As part of the agenda of the meeting, members of the General Council approved issues on the composition of the General Council, on the rotation of the Executive Committee of the FTURK, adopted amendments to the Rules of Work of the Republic of Kazakhstan, heard information on the activities of the Audit Commission of the FTURK for 2021.

 

Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan