As part of his first official visit to Kazakhstan, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, visited the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FPRK), which has become a key platform for discussing the prospects of strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the ILO.
The meeting included representatives of the trade union movement at all levels: the leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the chairpersons of industry and territorial trade union associations, the heads of primary trade union organizations, members of the Youth Council “Keleshek,” members of the Commission on Women Workers, as well as international experts.
The Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Satybaldy Daulatalin, welcoming the guests, emphasized the importance of Gilbert Houngbo’s historic visit, which, in his opinion, will serve as an impetus for the implementation of international labor standards and the realization of principles of social justice in Kazakhstan.
“It is significant that Mr. Houngbo’s first meeting in Kazakhstan was with representatives of workers at the central office of the Federation of Trade Unions. This sends a positive message to our entire society,” noted the Head of the FPRK.
Emphasizing that the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the largest and most mass-based public organization in the country and part of the free trade union movement, Satybaldy Daulatalin confirmed the commitment of the National Trade Union Center to the principles of the ILO.
“In recent years, our organization has made significant progress in addressing the observations on the implementation of ILO Convention No. 87 ‘On Freedom of Association,’ particularly in restoring independence, ensuring internal democracy, and electing the chairperson for the first time from the trade union environment through open and independent elections. It is extremely important for us that these processes are irreversible. We always advocate for solidarity in the actions of trade unions and support the solidarity campaigns of international trade union organizations,” Satybaldy Daulatalin remarked.
In light of the development of international cooperation, as the trade union leader emphasized, the Federation of Trade Unions is actively working with the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities and has achieved significant results in this direction.
“The Almaty Declaration was adopted and signed between the members of the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian countries and the ILO/ACTRAV. We have held 5 regional events, a Forum for Women Workers, and implemented various projects on social and labor relations. We have made many efforts to elevate international cooperation to a new level of development. The membership of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan in the International Confederation of Trade Unions has been restored. In December 2023, the Federation entered the leadership of the European Regional Council of the ITUC for the first time. The Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian countries was created and has successfully operated for three years. An organization of trade unions of Turkic states has been established. Approximately 200 international conferences, seminars, forums, and meetings have been conducted jointly with the ILO, ITUC, and other organizations on pressing issues of social and labor relations. Close cooperation has been established with many national trade union centers,” Satybaldy Daulatalin listed.
Speaking about the key initiatives of the Federation of Trade Unions, he emphasized measures such as promoting decent work issues, successfully implementing social partnership at all levels, increasing the minimum wage, ensuring safety and health at work, resolving collective labor disputes, and more.
Satybaldy Daulatalin paid special attention to the issues of integrating international standards into national legislation.
“Our country is taking consistent measures to promote the principles of the decent work concept through improving national legislation and implementing international norms. It is very important for us to resume the country program for decent work in partnership with the ILO. In 2023, the Federation of Trade Unions made its proposals for the development of this document at the National Kurultai meeting and found support from the Government. Today, we note with satisfaction the assistance from the ILO: the signing at the 112th session of the ILO in 2024 of the Roadmap for Joint Actions between Kazakhstan and the ILO on five relevant areas in the labor sector—‘Safe Work,’ ‘Social Dialogue,’ ‘Minimum Wage,’ ‘Social Security and Protection,’ and ‘Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.’ Following the ILO’s recommendations, we have planned to analyze the compliance of labor inspections in Kazakhstan with the requirements of the ratified ILO Conventions 81 ‘On Labor Inspection in Industry and Commerce’ and 129 ‘On Labor Inspection in Agriculture.’ A series of measures have also been planned to improve legislation on the resolution of collective labor disputes and to harmonize trade union legislation in accordance with Convention 87,” reported the Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Regarding measures to protect workers’ rights to safe work, the Head of the FPRK informed about the Federation’s participation in developing a new Safe Work Concept for 2024-2030, aimed at transitioning from a compensatory model to the principles of a risk-oriented occupational health and safety management system.
“At present, there are 11,000 production councils operating in our member organizations, and 17,000 technical safety inspectors from trade unions are at work. On December 21, 2023, a Law on Public Associations and Social Protection for individuals engaged in work under harmful conditions was adopted. For the first time in many decades, trade unions have achieved the introduction of a special social payment for workers of enterprises with harmful working conditions who have reached the age of 55. In addition, consultations are planned on the ratification of Convention No. 176 ‘On Safety and Health in Mines,’” emphasized Satybaldy Daulatalin.
In terms of resolving labor conflicts, according to him, representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions and member organizations participated in the resolution of 48 labor disputes or 57%, including 17 enterprises that do not have trade unions.
“In 2023, 84 labor disputes were recorded in the country, 31 of which involved trade union organizations. To quickly identify risks of labor disputes, the Federation of Trade Unions conducts weekly trade union monitoring. To prevent existing risks in the labor sector, a Comprehensive Plan for Preventing Social Tension and a Step-by-Step Algorithm for Joint Actions of Social Partners to Resolve Labor Disputes is being implemented together with social partners,” noted the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions.
Additionally, as reported by the Head of the FPRK, the unions are actively working on improving legislation. Proposals have already been made to several draft laws regarding simplifying the process of resolving labor disputes, expanding the rights of unions, strengthening public oversight, social protection of workers, ensuring safe working conditions, and more.
Satybaldy Dauletalin emphasized legal assistance through the established network of “Legal Clinics” in his speech. “In 2023, over 6,000 appeals regarding labor relations and union activities were reviewed. Specialists from the legal clinics provided 1,772 consultations, and our mediators signed 2,687 mediation agreements, with 53 lawsuits filed in defense of workers,” noted Dauletalin.
He assured international partners that the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan would make every effort to fulfill the commitments under the Roadmap for Promoting Decent Work, to implement international norms into national legislation, and to promote the ratification of ILO conventions.
In turn, Gilbert Houngbo highly appreciated the multifaceted and effective work of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and emphasized the importance of the unions’ efforts to promote international labor standards and implement the principles of social justice. “It is very important to me that my first meeting during this visit to Kazakhstan is with the Federation of Trade Unions. I want to thank you for the significant role you play in implementing the Roadmap. I am very proud and see the significant work you are doing in ratifying and implementing ILO conventions, and I would like to highlight the special role unions play in promoting norms that are very important to the ILO,” Houngbo said.
Speaking about the goals of his visit to Kazakhstan, he highlighted the importance of enhancing the dynamics of social dialogue, particularly in light of the ratification of Convention 87, which, according to him, is the foundation of the International Labour Organization’s work.
Another key area highlighted by the head of the global organization was labor safety. “The ILO works with you and raises issues of tripartism to truly advance progress on labor safety. These directions are included in the Roadmap,” emphasized the ILO Head. He also shared plans to launch a new observatory to study the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor sphere worldwide. Gilbert Houngbo called on Kazakhstan’s union movement to exchange views and ideas in this area.
The importance of the FPRK’s commitment to international standards was also noted by the ILO’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Beate Andrees. “We see significant progress in trade unions regarding issues related to freedom of association and labor inspection. Today, the issues of a fair transition are especially relevant. We expect that Kazakhstan will actively attract foreign investors, as there are resources here for the energy transition from fossil fuels. I think this is one of the future challenges,” she said.
The achievements of the Federation of Trade Unions in developing the social and labor sphere in Kazakhstan and strengthening cooperation with the ILO were noted by Sergiy Glovatskas, Head of the Europe and Central Asia Department of ACTRAV/ILO. “Kazakhstan has made great progress in the field of labor and social relations. The Federation of Trade Unions has made a huge contribution to addressing issues of freedom of association and collective disputes,” the international expert emphasized. He listed several achievements of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan in recent years.
“First, the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan was the first in the entire Central Asia region to be nominated for the International Confederation of Trade Unions as a democratic union. Second, a significant event was the election of a leader from the union environment. Third, a historic meeting with the ILO Director-General took place at the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” he noted.
At the same time, Sergiy Glovatskas also drew attention to the existing challenges in climate change, collective labor disputes, and labor protection.
Dinara Aytzhanova, Chairwoman of the Territorial Union Association of Pavlodar Region, focused on the measures taken to ensure reliable protection of workers’ rights for safe labor. “Unfortunately, over the past 5-6 years, the number of accidents has not decreased; annually, more than a thousand accidents occur at workplaces in Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of about 200 workers. The situation in the Pavlodar region mirrors the national picture. Every year, 108-110 accidents occur at workplaces, claiming the lives of 4 to 6 people. Thus, it cannot be said that the level of industrial injuries is tending to decrease,” clarified the speaker.
According to her, a characteristic feature of recent years is the lack of timely replacement of worn-out equipment, the inability of responsible persons to ensure accident-free operations and eliminate their consequences, a critical understaffing at enterprises, and the lack of oversight for compliance with labor protection, industrial safety, and hygiene requirements.
“The Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan consistently and persistently raises proposals on various platforms and levels, including appeals to the Government and Parliament, regarding the need to strengthen state control and oversight, which aligns with the vision of the International Labour Organization, which demands strict compliance with the provisions of Conventions 81 and 129 related to labor inspection activities. As a result of the work carried out, in 2024, decisions were made to transfer labor inspectors from local executive bodies to the jurisdiction of the central government body – the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as well as to create a separate Committee of State Labor Inspection, and to lift the moratorium on inspections of micro and small business entities,” said Dinara Aytzhanova.
Moreover, according to her, a draft law has been prepared that addresses strengthening employer responsibility for violating labor laws and granting state labor inspectors the right to conduct inspections without prior notice.
The Chair of the Trade Center emphasized the unions’ interest in receiving expert recommendations on improving legislation and mechanisms for public oversight, advanced training programs, and developing monitoring systems for working conditions based on best global practices.
The issue of climate change was elaborated on by Gulnara Zhumageldieva, Deputy Chairman of the FPRK, in her speech. “Today, we fully feel the consequences of negative influences, which lead to droughts, floods, storms, fires, and other natural phenomena. This triggers a cascading effect – the economy suffers, the geopolitical situation worsens, people’s material well-being declines, and significant threats to food security increase. Moreover, this leads to changes in the labor market – general and labor migration increases, and the share of informal labor grows,” noted Zhumageldieva.
According to her, adaptation to current and future changes for trade unions involves the need to develop and promote their own policy and action plan for a Just Transition to ensure employment and social protection for workers in the transition to a low-carbon society.
“Unions must play an active role in developing, implementing, and monitoring national sustainable development policies and contribute to social dialogue at all levels. With the help of the ILO’s ACTRAV and the international trade union movement, the Federation of Trade Unions is actively engaged in studying the issues and developing an action plan in the context of climate change. A series of events have been organized in various formats with colleagues and experts from international and national organizations. A study was conducted that allowed us to analyze the state of the climate situation in the country, identify potential risks, and determine a strategy for action. The actions are primarily focused on implementing the ideas of a Just Transition,” added the Deputy Chairman of the FPRK.
Thus, the Federation has developed a number of recommendations for the actions of Kazakhstan’s trade unions aimed at actively participating in initiating legislative proposals, considering environmental issues, creating green jobs, and including provisions in agreements and collective agreements that provide additional benefits and social guarantees for workers exposed to negative environmental impacts.
At the end of the discussion, Gilbert Houngbo answered questions from representatives of the “Keleshek” Youth Council regarding promoting international labor standards for occupational safety and developing new forms of employment in light of the active implementation of artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, the parties confirmed their intention to continue cooperation, noting that the visit of the ILO Director-General to Kazakhstan would give new impetus to the implementation of decent work principles and increase respect for the Worker.
Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan Media Center.”