In Dushanbe, as part of the 6th meeting of the Trade Union Council of Central Asia (CTUCA), an International Labour Organization (ILO) seminar is being held to promote joint trade union strategies in socio-economic policy and labor migration in Central Asia. The event includes the participation of a Kazakh delegation led by the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan (FPRK), Vice President of the Pan-European Regional Council of the ITUC, Satybaldy Dauletalin.
Representatives of national trade centers from CTUCA member countries shared their views on comprehensive solutions to crises and specific measures being implemented by trade unions.
A member of the Kazakh delegation, Head of the FPRK Secretariat, Nurlybek Zhumash, outlined the Federation’s main activities aimed at preventing crises in the socio-labor sphere.
“To improve the quality of life and ensure decent work for trade union members, the Federation declared 2024 as the ‘Year of Decent Work.’ Key directions for trade unions were identified as strengthening social partnership in Kazakhstan to implement fundamental labor principles and rights, expanding opportunities for decent employment, and improving working conditions and social protection,” stated Nurlybek Zhumash.
He highlighted the signing of a new General Agreement in March 2024 between the Government of Kazakhstan, national employers’ associations, and national workers’ associations for 2024–2026. The agreement supports many union initiatives, including ratifying nine ILO conventions, implementing a roadmap for decent work, involving social partners in government meetings, and drafting regulations on social and labor relations. It also addresses improving wage systems and gradually increasing the minimum wage with annual indexation.
“At the initiative of the Federation, a methodology for determining the minimum wage was developed and adopted in March this year. Regarding safe working conditions, trade unions achieved the introduction of special social payments for employees in hazardous work environments,” he informed his colleagues.
The Concept of Safe Work for 2024–2030 incorporates union proposals to shift from a compensatory model to a risk-based occupational safety management system. These proposals include mandatory establishment of Workplace Councils for all employers, monthly bonuses for technical labor inspectors, and other measures.
Additionally, a Comprehensive Plan to prevent social tension and resolve socio-labor conflicts, along with a step-by-step Algorithm for joint actions by state bodies and social partners, is being implemented in Kazakhstan.
“In 2024, union monitoring recorded 55 labor conflicts, with union organizations involved in 17 of these cases. The Federation assisted in resolving 24 conflicts, including six enterprises without union presence. The Federation is systematically using tools like ‘Labor Consultations’ between employers and employees,” the speaker added.
The Federation also promptly responds to challenges and proposes amendments to legislative acts concerning the socio-labor sphere.
Speaking at the seminar, another member of the Kazakh delegation, Bauyrzhan Alteyev, Head of the Shymkent Territorial Union of Trade Unions, addressed measures taken in Kazakhstan to resolve labor migration issues from a union perspective.
“Regulating labor migration is one of the main activities of the Federation. The primary criterion for this work is ensuring the rights of labor migrants. Protecting labor rights and providing decent working conditions for migrants require political, economic, and social solutions involving all societal sectors,” said Bauyrzhan Alteyev.
According to him, key union priorities in regulating labor migration include encouraging union membership among migrants, combating forced labor, preventing labor violations, and ensuring social benefits and medical services for migrants.
“Strategies to achieve these goals include increasing union activity through agreements between related trade unions in our countries, participating in drafting migration laws, closer cooperation with governments and employers, and stricter measures against employers who exploit workers and foster unfair labor competition,” he explained.
Regarding the possibility of migrants forming unions or joining existing ones, the speaker clarified:
“The Law on Trade Unions applies to both Kazakh citizens and foreigners without limiting their rights or responsibilities. However, only Kazakh citizens may establish unions, while foreigners may join existing unions,” he stated.
Summarizing the seminar’s work, the forum moderator, ILO Senior Specialist for Worker Activities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Gocha Alexandria, emphasized the organization’s support for efforts to ensure fair labor migration.
“All measures proposed by national trade center representatives will form the basis of common recommendations for social partners. The ILO firmly believes that labor migrants, like any other workers, are entitled to protection under internationally recognized human and labor rights, including freedom of association, collective bargaining, non-discrimination, and a safe and healthy work environment,” concluded the ILO expert.
FPRK Media Center