During a working visit to the Kostanay region, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Satubaldy Dauletalin, participated in an extended meeting of the Regional Tripartite Commission on the Regulation of Social and Labor Relations and the Development of Social Partnership, chaired by the regional akim, Kumar Aksakalov.
The main agenda items included the implementation of the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Announcement of the Year of Working Professions,” the state of occupational injuries at enterprises in the Kostanay region, and issues related to wage arrears at enterprises in the region.
Aiman Ibraeva, Head of the “Department of Education of the Akimat of Kostanay Region,” reported on the activities carried out in the region as part of the Year of Working Professions. She emphasized the importance of career guidance work being conducted in the area, noting that a regional Action Plan for the Year of Working Professions had been approved in Kostanay.
Speaking on the objectives of the Year of Working Professions, Satubaldy Dauletalin highlighted the importance of organizing and ensuring high-quality vocational education in the country.
“Today, students often acquire a profession but do not fully understand their calling. As a result, graduates either struggle in the labor market or find themselves unprepared for employers’ requirements. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the vocational education system. Secondary vocational education should be oriented toward skilled labor. Businesses should actively participate in workforce training. Systematic work with students on professional self-determination is necessary. We must move towards comprehensive support for young people in their career choices, fostering conscious decision-making in selecting a profession. In an era dominated by virtual values and self-realization through social networks, the role of family and society in conveying the value of real labor and career prospects becomes increasingly significant. The term ‘worker’ is gradually fading into the past. Today, it is more relevant to speak of ‘highly qualified specialists.’ Trade unions will continue their efforts to enhance the prestige of labor and the value of the working individual. For trade unions, every year is the Year of Working Professions,” emphasized Satubaldy Dauletalin.
Information on occupational injuries and wage arrears at enterprises in the region was presented by Yerlan Temirkhan, Head of the “Department of the Committee for State Labor Inspection of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Kostanay Region.”
According to him, last year, occupational injury rates in the region decreased by 22% compared to the previous year. In 2024, 91 individuals were injured at enterprises in the Kostanay region, with 20 fatalities. Fatal accidents occurred in the mining and metallurgical, mechanical engineering, and construction industries.
Commenting on his report, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions noted that, based on analysis, a more significant reduction in occupational injuries is observed at enterprises where trade union organizations are active.
“According to the Federation of Trade Unions, only 30 individuals, or less than 30% of all injured workers, were from enterprises with trade union presence in the Kostanay region. This indicates that where trade unions exist, there is enhanced control over workplace safety conditions. Many initiatives of the Federation of Trade Unions have been incorporated into the Concept of Safe Labor until 2030, adopted last year in Kazakhstan. Today, the transition from a compensatory model of occupational safety management to a risk-based approach is being implemented. This allows for proactive preventive measures to be taken to ensure workplace safety,” stated Satubaldy Dauletalin.
Regarding wage arrears at enterprises, meeting participants examined the situation at LLP “Zarechnoe Agricultural Experimental Station,” where the wage debt owed to 190 employees amounts to nearly 109 million tenge.
According to the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions, employer wage arrears constitute a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.
Akim of the Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, ordered stricter measures against the employer of the experimental station, including the possibility of criminal prosecution.
Discussing the further development of social partnership in the region, Satubaldy Dauletalin emphasized the importance of strengthening interaction among social partners to effectively and purposefully address social and labor issues.
“Regarding the development of social partnership, I would like to note that, at our initiative, the practice of co-chairing by trade union leaders within regional tripartite commissions and holding meetings at trade union venues has been introduced in the regions. In 2024, nine meetings of the tripartite commission were held in the Kostanay region with the participation of the Federation of Trade Unions as a co-chair: four under the chairmanship of the regional akim and two under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Trade Union Center. This is a positive indicator of trust among social partners in the region,” emphasized the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions.
Concluding the meeting, Akim of the Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, assured that special attention is given to the development of social partnership in the region, recognizing its importance in maintaining social stability in enterprises.
“Trade unions must operate in all labor collectives as a reliable guarantor of workers’ rights protection. Fair wages, safe working conditions, and compliance with legislation form the foundation of social stability. We will continue our joint efforts to ensure the rights of every worker,” concluded Kumar Aksakalov.
Following the meeting, the Federation of Trade Unions delegation, accompanied by the regional akim, inspected the construction progress of several plants in the Kostanay industrial zone. Social partners visited the construction sites of the KIA Kazakhstan and KAMLIT automobile plants. According to the regional akim, mass production of KIA vehicles, with an annual output of up to 70,000 units, is planned to begin in October this year. The localization level in the automotive industry will exceed 50%. The plant is expected to create 1,500 new jobs.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan