The Federations of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan and China held an online meeting on cooperation, exchange of experience of trade union organizations of China and Kazakhstan, transfer of humanitarian aid to port workers of Kazakhstan.
Within the framework of the meeting, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Trade Unions of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region handed over humanitarian aid to their colleagues from Kazakhstan for workers in border areas in the form of personal protective equipment and basic necessities.
Jiang Guangping, Deputy Chairman, Secretary of the Secretariat of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, spoke about the traditions of good neighborliness between China and Kazakhstan, welcoming the participants of the meeting.
“The trade unions of China and Kazakhstan are good partners with common thoughts and destiny. The Chinese Trade Union values friendly relations with the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan. In recent years, the two Federations have overcome the consequences of the epidemic and maintained a close relationship. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions sponsored the training of workers of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in China, and they became conductors of friendship between the two federations. Currently, the epidemic continues, which has a huge impact on production and the lives of employees in the two countries. We, as good neighbors, strive to further strengthen ties with the FTURK and are ready to provide assistance to the FTURK and its employees within our capabilities,” Jiang Guangping said.
He commented on the initiative of providing humanitarian aid with the desire to preserve the health of workers.
“It is thanks to the contribution of employees that the border with a length of more than 1,700 kilometers has become a bridge of good neighborliness and friendship between the two peoples, and not a border of confrontation. We are well aware that work at border checkpoints is very difficult, especially because of the epidemic, employees are experiencing unprecedented stress in terms of work, life, physical and mental health. The trade union is a family of workers, we always pay attention to the situation of employees of the two countries and hope to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere concern to them through this event,” said the Deputy Chairman of the All–China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).
According to him, the priority areas of activity of trade unions in China are the protection of labor, economic rights and interests of workers, promotion of an active employment policy, protection of democratic, political rights of workers and assistance in solving problematic issues of workers.
Jiang Guangping expressed his intention to further develop friendly relations with the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan and suggested joining efforts to improve the welfare of workers.
In turn, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Uteshev highly appreciated the achievements in cooperation between trade unions of Kazakhstan and China and noted their important role in the daily activities of trade union organizations.
“FTURK and ACFTU are actively cooperating on the exchange of experience and information. In April 2017, the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions signed a Memorandum on cooperation and cooperation in order to develop mutual understanding, workers of the two countries, strengthen friendship, develop cooperation, partnerships and exchange information. Our representatives take part in the program of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions for the study of the Chinese language. There are new challenges that we need to adapt to. And if we go under the same flag, constantly checking the clock, the process will move faster and bear fruit in the struggle for workers’ rights. We value our friendship and good relations between the trade unions of Kazakhstan and China. And we hope for further fruitful cooperation,” Nurlan Uteshev added.
As an important platform for cooperation between trade unions of the two countries in holding joint events, the parties noted the potential of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which has a long border with Kazakhstan.
A video was presented at the meeting, telling about the socio-economic development of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and its social situation.
Chen Zhongquan, party Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, spoke in detail about the socio-economic achievements of the XUAR.
According to him, Xinjiang is currently experiencing an unprecedented achievement in terms of socio-economic development and improving the welfare of the people. The average monthly salary of employees of textile enterprises is about 3,500 yuan.
Chen Zhongquan, using concrete examples, spoke about creating decent working and living conditions for workers of all nationalities.
“The Federation of Trade Unions of the XUAR always protects the interests and rights of employees. We are guided by the Labor Law and the Law on Labor Contracts of the People’s Republic of China. We have developed seven documents at the local level – a resolution on collective consultation on salaries in the region, a resolution on ensuring the labor rights of employees of the XUAR, and so on. All enterprises in the region are registered, observing the etiquette of commerce and business. Our region has the most modern equipment. In 2021, 409 workers in the textile and cotton industry received the Golden Hands Award. Another 3,300 employees received the title of “Best Newcomers”. We pay special attention to the issues of protecting the health and safety of workers at work and try to improve the standard of living of workers,” said the Deputy chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the XUAR.
Zhao Xiaohai, Deputy Director General of the Xinjiang Corporation of the International Land Port in Urumqi, spoke about measures to support employees of the state-owned enterprise.
According to him, the Xinjiang International Land Port Corporation is a first-class state-owned enterprise in Urumqi. Its registered capital is more than 1 billion yuan. The corporation’s activities include eight sectors, including logistics, construction, maintenance of industrial parks, trade and supply chain of textiles to the food center, investment and financial services.
During the meeting, an online ceremony of handing over humanitarian aid was held. According to the head of the Department of International Relations of the ACFTU, Ma Jin, the Chinese side purchased a shipment of cargo for the port trade unions and their employees to express their gratitude and concern.
“Humanitarian aid includes 120 thousand medical masks, 40 thousand masks “N95”, 3 thousand thermoses, 3 thousand backpacks. These cargoes with the inscription “We are connected by common mountains, centuries, fate” will soon be delivered to the Almaty region,” Ma Jin said.
Chairman of the trade union center of Almaty region Asset Kydyrmanov expressed gratitude to colleagues from China for their support.
“Our region borders on the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. We are ready to strengthen cooperation with colleagues from China. Trade unions in Kazakhstan have their own special place in modern society. They do a lot of work to protect the rights and interests of citizens, improve working conditions, improve living standards and ensure social guarantees. Today, trade unions in the region, together with representatives of local executive bodies and representatives of employers, are working to improve labor relations in the region. The Regional Commission for Social Partnership and Regulation of Social and Labor Relations is effectively functioning in the region and a Trilateral Agreement for 2021-2023 is in effect. To date, the trade union center participates in the work of many regional commissions, within which various issues regulating socio-economic and labor relations are resolved. To ensure the legal literacy of a Person at work, prevention and prevention of labor disputes, a branch of the Legal Clinic has been established on the basis of the Trade Union Center of the region,” Asset Kydyrmanov said.
At the end of the meeting, the parties confirmed the intention of the trade unions of Kazakhstan and China to strengthen and promote joint work to protect the rights and improve the welfare of workers.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan