On March 31, as part of the ongoing campaign of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan “How are you, primary?”, an offline meeting was held with the staff of the State Committee of the Capital Circus, organized by the Branch Trade Union of Workers of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Information together with the Trade Union Center of Nur-Sultan.
It was attended by Deputy Chairman of the FTURK Nurlan Uteshev, Chairman of the Trade Union Center of Nur-Sultan Tolegen Kunadilov, head of the Department of Organization of cultural and artistic events of the State Institution “Department of Culture of Nur-Sultan” Saltanat Muximova, lawyer and adviser of the Branch Trade Union Malina Basharova and Alibek Sattarov.
The General director of the Moscow Circus, the famous cultural figure Erik Zholzhaksynov and the chairman of the trade union committee Anara Musina spoke in detail about the activities of the organization and overcoming the difficulties of the collective during the pandemic, familiarized with the achievements of the trade union and the organization.
The circus team is the winners of the most prestigious international competitions. Famous artists and managers from near and far abroad work here: China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Many young foreign artists highly appreciate the technical potential of the Capital’s Circus, which allows them to fully develop their skills worthy of the world level. At the end of 2020, the team celebrated its 15th anniversary.
A distinctive feature is that the management of the Capital Circus not only fully supports all the initiatives of the trade union, but also is its full members. With the assistance of the directorate and azimuth of Nur-Sultan, this year it is planned to provide housing for 11 employees of the Capital’s Circus under a preferential state program.
Also, according to the collective agreement, freelance workers have the opportunity for a full paid vacation.
The Capital Circus PPO is an active participant in all the events of the Branch Trade Union: training seminars, round tables, forums.
The youth leader of the trade union committee, circus artist Esa Konurbayeva last year became one of the winners of the FTURK “30 еңбек елшісі”.
The chairman of the trade union Committee Anara Musina, a member of the Executive Committee and the Council of the capital branch of the Trade Union is an active participant in seminars and webinars of the industry and the FTURK, meetings with the participation of the Department of Culture of the Akimat of Nur–Sultan, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On her initiative and the leadership of the organization, a free sports corner was created in 2019 for circus workers and their family members. Took part in the FTURK “People’s Budget” competition in 2021 – a project to create a relaxation room for circus performers, in order to reduce physical and psychological stress, and, consequently, to prevent occupational injuries. The project was recognized as one of the best. In the future, it is planned to organize a children’s corner for the convenience of children from circus dynasties and touring foreign troupes.
According to the results of 2019 and 2021, the Capital Circus was recognized as one of the best primary schools of the Branch Trade Union, including for active and creative trade union activities, high labor protection and safety, and care for trade union members. These achievements were also marked by special awards of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the results of the “Year of Primary Trade Union Organization”, along with the primary schools of other industries, the Capital Circus has become one of the best in the republic.
Malina Basharova, a lawyer of the Branch Trade Union, noted a number of urgent problems for circus workers, who, unfortunately, have not received their permission for several years. Among them are still low wages; the use of the basic official salary as a deterrent in increasing wages; the problem of paying and lowering the retirement age for artists over 45 years old; problems of professional development. “Our chairman S. Imankulova and we are voicing all these and other problems at all levels, including sending letters to the Head of State and the Government,” said M. Basharova.
The chairman of the trade union committee, Anara Musina, stressed the inconsistency of many certification issues that do not allow assessing the real creative potential and professional suitability of artists, but are aimed at knowledge of the laws, which is not the main evaluation criterion for creative personnel. In turn, she proposed to create an expert group during the preparation of regulatory legal acts, which must include specialists from all spheres of culture and sports, as well as trade union figures who know the specifics of professions and working conditions from the inside. To evaluate the same creative skills, return artistic advice.
Employees of the Capital’s circus actively joined the dialogue, asking questions on the most relevant topics for them: on awarding the status of “state” and receiving allowances, including for dangerous working conditions and professional skills.
Choreographer U. Siyazbek raised the issue of the need to reduce the retirement age and receive pension payments for choreographers, following the example of Russian ballet dancers, taking into account the same physical and psycho-emotional load. “Excessive physical exertion leads to rapid aging and a 40-year–old dancer on stage does not look aesthetically advantageous against younger colleagues,” he noted.
The absence of surcharges for acrobats, jugglers, riders who are constantly at risk and occupational injuries indicates the imperfection of the NPA, which do not disclose or do not include separate articles on professions with increased risk.
The building of the Capital Circus also requires major repairs of all premises and replacement of the dome, which is in disrepair. In addition, part of the basement premises is now in the trust management of the SEC “Astana”, which also makes inconveniences in the full use of circus resources, especially when conducting large tours of foreign troupes and festivals. And leads to rapid deterioration of the premises.
The Deputy chairman of the FTURK, Nurlan Uteshev, thanked all the circus workers for their active participation, noting the importance of such live communication, during which many important problems were raised, the solution of which is possible through the regulation of regulatory legal acts, as well as ensuring full funding from local executive bodies. “For its part, with the participation of your Branch Trade Union, which is known for its integrity and activity, the Federation of Trade Unions is ready to provide comprehensive support in resolving your issues at the level of the Government, the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Representatives of the Nur-Sultan Department of Culture also expressed their readiness to assist and solve all problems together, thanking the leadership of the Capital’s Circus and the FTURK for the organized meeting, thanks to which many issues were revealed in more detail.
“The trade union is not omnipotent, it is not a legislative or executive body, but it can and should seek solutions to all pressing issues aimed at improving working conditions and improving the socio-economic well–being of workers,” N. Uteshev stressed at the end of the meeting.