First Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FPRK), Mukhtar Tinikeev, met with Darko Dochinski, a specialist in labor regulation, labor inspection, and occupational safety from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The focus of the meeting was the joint implementation of the ILO project “Promoting Occupational Safety through Social Dialogue in Kazakhstan’s Mining Industry.” The project aims to enhance safety in Kazakhstani mines and quarries and serve as a model of effective social partnership.
Welcoming the international experts, Mukhtar Tinikeev emphasized the importance of the meeting, noting that it would elevate cooperation with the ILO to a new level and help address urgent socio-labor issues more effectively.
He reminded that the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan is a mass public organization that unites over 1.6 million members from 23 sectoral and 18 regional trade unions. The Federation actively addresses a wide range of issues, from ensuring decent working conditions to fostering international cooperation.
Among the Federation’s priorities, Tinikeev highlighted the implementation of the General Agreement, the execution of the Safe Labor Concept for 2024–2030, clarification of the methodology for determining the minimum wage, and mandatory wage indexation.
Discussing the development of social partnership in the country, he noted that a General Agreement was signed in 2024, forming the basis for 10 new sectoral and 20 regional agreements. According to him, the Federation is working to enhance the status of tripartite commissions and their involvement in legislative development.
The First Deputy Chairman also emphasized the importance of jointly developing a National Decent Work Program with the ILO, stating that the Federation had already submitted its proposals in this regard.
Tinikeev highlighted a key milestone: the signing of a Joint Action Roadmap between Kazakhstan and the ILO during the 112th ILC session in 2024. The roadmap includes five areas: safe labor, social dialogue, minimum wage, social protection, and the elimination of violence and harassment in the workplace. As part of this initiative, labor inspection in Kazakhstan has been returned under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
“The Federation is actively implementing the Vision Zero Concept (536 enterprises, 167,282 employees, including 61,442 in hazardous conditions), increasing the number of production councils (over 12,000, up by 3.1% compared to 2023), and working to improve working conditions, including research into the impact of biological factors on human health, in cooperation with ILO recommendations. Particular attention is being paid to fair wages. Thanks to the Federation’s initiative, a methodology for determining the minimum wage has been approved, and work is underway on ratifying ILO Convention No. 131,” stated Tinikeev.
In conclusion, he reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to international norms and standards and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation with the ILO and social partners.
Darko Dochinski thanked the Federation for the meeting and presented the ILO’s plans for implementing the project. He emphasized the importance of tripartite partnership – involving employers, trade unions, and the state – in achieving the project’s goals. He outlined specific events planned in Kazakhstan, including a tripartite seminar in Astana on February 27 to discuss concrete steps for implementation.
The international expert elaborated on planned training activities, methods to strengthen social dialogue, and mechanisms to improve enforcement of safety regulations. He also stressed the value of sharing experiences with countries that have successfully addressed similar challenges.
According to Dochinski, the project focuses on four key areas: legislation, training, dialogue, and the role of trade unions.
As part of the project, existing laws will be reviewed to develop proposals for improving the legal framework to ensure real protection of workers’ rights.
Regarding training, the ILO will offer capacity-building programs for labor inspectors and trade union representatives, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to enforce safety standards effectively.
“The project also aims to enhance communication among workers, employers, and unions. This is a key element, as workplace safety is a shared responsibility. The goal is to create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, where all parties are committed to solving problems,” Dochinski said.
He gave special attention to strengthening the role of trade unions as defenders of miners’ rights, noting that the project seeks to provide unions with more tools and opportunities for effective advocacy.
Overall, both sides expressed their commitment to working together to improve occupational safety in the mining industry and emphasized the importance of practical approaches and close cooperation among all social partners.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan