The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Satybaldy Dauletalin, presented Kazakhstan’s experience in implementing ILO Conventions at a session of the Committee on the Application of Standards during the 112th session of the International Labour Conference.
“The Federation of Trade Unions, being the largest organization of workers in Kazakhstan, makes every effort to promote and implement ILO principles and standards. At the initiative of the trade unions, proposals were developed and submitted to the Government regarding the need to align national legislation with the provisions of ILO Conventions No. 81 ‘Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce’ and No. 129 ‘Labour Inspection in Agriculture’,” emphasized Satybaldy Dauletalin.
Speaking about the work carried out to comply with the international obligations adopted by the country, he highlighted three systemic issues.
First and foremost, he mentioned the initiative of the Federation of Trade Unions to transition from a compensatory model of occupational safety management to a risk-oriented one.
“Last year, the Federation of Trade Unions actively participated in the development of the Safe Work Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030, which includes several trade union initiatives, including the transition to a risk-oriented model of occupational safety management. This is a globally accepted practice that we must implement in Kazakhstan. The Federation has high hopes that this measure will reduce the level of occupational injuries, the number of labor safety violations, and the number of workplaces with harmful and dangerous working conditions,” noted the Head of the FTURK.
Another equally important initiative of the Federation of Trade Unions, as emphasized by Satybaldy Dauletalin, is the proposal to lift the moratorium on enterprise inspections regarding compliance with labor legislation.
“Last year, in order to prevent violations of workers’ rights and ensure proper safe working conditions, the Federation of Trade Unions submitted proposals to the Government to lift the moratorium on business inspections. We managed to influence the state’s decision on this issue, and as of January 1, 2024, the moratorium on business inspections has been lifted,” announced the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In addition, Satybaldy Dauletalin reported a positive development regarding the transfer of powers of state labor inspectors from local executive bodies to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
“Currently, Kazakhstan is adopting legislative amendments that provide for the transfer of the state labor inspection to the central government body. As a result of this transfer, a separate body, the Committee for State Labor Inspection, will be established, which will also significantly strengthen the control over compliance with labor legislation,” emphasized the trade union leader.
According to him, work continues with social partners on trade union proposals to enhance the status and powers of technical labor safety inspectors.
“I should note that our proposals to strengthen public oversight and elevate the status of technical labor safety inspectors are reflected in the ‘Action Plan for Ensuring Safe Labor in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025,’ and we are confident that the situation will change for the better,” Satybaldy Dauletalin emphasized.
He stated that all steps being taken to implement international standards have given new impetus to developing a constructive dialogue with employers and the Government on creating safe working conditions at Kazakh enterprises, especially in hazardous industries.
“The Federation of Trade Unions and its member organizations act and will continue to act on specific principles regarding labor safety: work should not kill or maim a person, harm their health; no one should die at the workplace while earning a living,” assured the Chairman of the FTURK.
At the conclusion, he affirmed the Federation of Trade Unions’ intention to continue its work under the technical assistance of the ILO to strengthen cooperation and promote international standards, as well as to develop a new national program for decent work.
It’s worth noting that the delegation of the FTURK, led by Chairman Satybaldy Dauletalin, is participating in the 112th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Key outcomes of the visit included the signing of a Roadmap for the Promotion of Decent Work in Kazakhstan between the International Labour Organization, the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the National Confederation of Employers “Paras”. Additionally, Vice-President of the All-European Regional Council of the ITUC and Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Satybaldy Dauletalin, participated in the General Council session of the ITUC.
On the sidelines of the International Labour Conference, the Chairman of the FTURK held a series of meetings with leaders of international trade union organizations, including ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow, ACTRAV Director Maria Helena André, IndustriALL Global Union Deputy General Secretary Kemal Özgön, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Beate Andrees, among others.
Moreover, Chairman Satybaldy Dauletalin held negotiations with foreign colleagues, including President of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Japan (RENGO, JTUC) Tomoko Yoshino, Vice-Chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) Wei Dicun, and leaders of National Trade Union Centers of the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian countries. Following these meetings, the parties outlined further plans for cooperation.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan