On June 4–5, in the framework of the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference, the Kazakhstani delegation, headed by Satybaldy Dauletalin, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held a series of meetings with international partners and colleagues.
A working meeting was held among the leaders of the National Trade Union Centers of the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian Countries (CTUCAC), with the participation of Sergejus Glovackas, Chief of the Europe and Central Asia Desk of the Workers’ Activities Bureau of the International Labour Organization (ACTRAV/ILO).
The heads of the national trade union centers agreed to hold the next CTUCAC meeting on September 5–7, 2023, in Kyrgyzstan. The proposed agenda for the upcoming meeting includes summarizing the results of the “Best Youth Council” competition, reports on the work of women’s commissions, issues of environmental safety, among others. The parties agreed to strengthen CTUCAC’s cooperation with global trade unions and enhance collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, Satybaldy Dauletalin, welcomed the newly elected Chair of the National Trade Union Center of Turkmenistan, Oguljennet Berdiliyeva.
“We warmly welcome you to our ranks. The election of a woman as a trade union leader reflects the commitment of Central Asian countries to the principles of gender equality. Trade union work in today’s economic realities is no easy path, but we are guided by our trade union consciousness — the working person comes above all else. Today, the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian Countries (CTUCAC) unites 15 million workers across the region. We are bound by shared roots that laid the foundation for our unity. We, for our part, are ready for cooperation and operate openly and transparently. We welcome Turkmenistan’s participation as an observer. I would like to note that each CTUCAC member country contributes to the advancement of our common cause — improving the protection of workers’ rights. There is great potential ahead for strengthening our cooperation,” said the Kazakh trade union leader.
Speaking about the tasks facing the Council of Trade Unions of Central Asian Countries, Satybaldy Dauletalin emphasized the need to collectively respond to modern challenges.
“At the previous Council meeting in April, the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan proposed the development of a Standard for the Protection of Workers’ Rights in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. The time has come to establish a working group on this issue. In Kazakhstan, a draft law ‘On Artificial Intelligence’ has already been developed, and trade unions are actively involved in its discussion. We are ready to share our experience in the development of this Standard. By uniting our efforts, we have agreed to adopt a common position in addressing emerging challenges and to take effective action. It is very encouraging that our partners from the International Labour Organization are accompanying us on this path,” said the FTURK Chairman, expressing his gratitude to Sergejus Glovackas, Chief of the Europe and Central Asia Desk of ACTRAV/ILO, for his engagement and support.
Today, the delegation of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan met with Beate Andrees, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and Mikhail Pushkin, Director of the ILO Moscow Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The parties discussed the implementation of the Roadmap for Promoting Decent Work in Kazakhstan, which was signed a year ago in Geneva between the country’s social partners and the International Labour Organization.
Chairman of the Federation, Satybaldy Dauletalin, provided an update on the preparations for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 131 and outlined the steps being taken toward the adoption of the Decent Work Programme in Kazakhstan.
It is worth noting that the initiatives voiced yesterday by the head of the Kazakhstani delegation, Satybaldy Dauletalin, during the plenary session of the 113th International Labour Conference, received today support from Beate Andrees, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and Mikhail Pushkin, Director of the ILO Moscow Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The Kazakh trade union leader also shared Kazakhstan’s experience with the work of tripartite commissions on social partnership and the regulation of social and labor relations at the regional level. He highlighted the development of employers’ associations and their role in preventing labor disputes and provided a detailed overview of ongoing efforts to ensure safe working conditions at enterprises across Kazakhstan.
“We actively participated in the development and promotion of the Safe Work Concept until 2030. Thanks to our joint efforts with social partners, Kazakhstan has successfully transitioned from a compensation-based model of occupational safety management to a risk-oriented approach. In addition, we managed to achieve the reinstatement of the National Center for Hygiene and Occupational Diseases,” noted Satybaldy Dauletalin.
Concluding the meeting, Beate Andrees, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, acknowledged the role of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the successful implementation of occupational safety measures, as well as in promoting the principles of social justice not only in Kazakhstan but throughout the Central Asian region.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan