On Wednesday, January 28, a signing ceremony of the 2026 Joint Action Plan with the Bureau for Workers’ Activities of the International Labour Organization (ILO/ACTRAV) took place at the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FTURK).
The document was signed by FTURK Chairman Satybaldy Dauletalin and Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities of the ILO Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Gocha Aleksandria.
Opening the event, Satybaldy Dauletalin emphasized that cooperation with the ILO is a long-term strategic initiative, covering both national and international levels.
“Cooperation between the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan and the International Labour Organization over many years is a key area of our international activities. It is carried out on an ongoing basis and aimed at promoting the principles of decent work, developing social dialogue, and strengthening tripartite interaction between the state, employers, and trade unions,” said Dauletalin.
He noted that the main value of this cooperation lies not only in documents and agreements but also in trust and mutual support.
“We feel support from each other, learn from each other, and strengthen our capacity to protect workers’ interests. This cooperation is built on trust, respect, and understanding of common goals, which allows us to effectively address real trade union challenges. I would like to express special gratitude to Sergius Glovatskas and Maria Helene Andre. Every visit of our international partners provides us with support and an opportunity to more effectively protect workers’ rights, as well as enhance our professional level,” emphasized the FTURK Chairman.
Discussing the essence of the new Joint Action Plan, Satybaldy Dauletalin highlighted that it reflects a qualitatively new practical level of cooperation.
“Today we are signing a document that defines strategic directions for 2026. Each year we analyze results, assess new challenges, discuss initiatives, and adjust approaches to meet the real needs of workers and economic development. The presence of our ILO colleagues in Kazakhstan during these days, their consultations, and exchange of experience will be particularly valuable. The Action Plan creates opportunities to strengthen the institutional and analytical capacity of the Federation, develop the competencies of our trade union staff, and enhance effective participation in social dialogue at all levels,” said the trade union leader of Kazakhstan.
In turn, Gocha Aleksandria, Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities of the ILO Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, stressed the strategic significance of the document.
“We are starting the new year with a traditional initiative—a Joint Action Plan for 2026. It is focused on concrete practical results and provides a comprehensive set of measures to develop the analytical, expert, and educational potential of trade unions. The document creates conditions for more active participation in social dialogue and strengthens the expert role of the Federation. Digitalization of the labor sector, new international standards, trade union participation in climate agendas, and principles of just transition—your role in these processes is extremely important. The Action Plan will serve as a tool for effective implementation of these initiatives,” emphasized the international expert.
Gocha Aleksandria also highlighted the international prospects of cooperation.
“The past two years have been very productive. We conducted events at international, regional, and national levels. Your Federation’s participation in international work is increasing, which allows you to reach a new level in representing the organization’s and region’s interests. Representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan participated in ILO international and regional events, including the International Labour Conference, where they represented the position of Kazakh trade unions on key global labor issues. Your membership in the ITUC General Council is a great privilege for the Central Asian region and a responsibility that you effectively fulfill,” said the ILO expert.
The adopted plan defines priority areas of cooperation in labor and social relations and serves as a practical tool for implementing ILO international labor standards in the national labor regulation system. Key priorities include strengthening the role of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan in promoting decent work standards and participating in tripartite social dialogue, supporting the implementation of state labor and employment policy priorities, developing the institutional and analytical capacity of the FTURK, and enhancing the professional competencies of trade union staff.
A significant block of activities is dedicated to educational and awareness-raising initiatives, including joint seminars, training sessions, expert discussions, and expansion of international experience exchange.
Special attention in the document is given to climate-related issues, the role of trade unions in just transition processes, assessment of social consequences of structural economic changes, and development of mechanisms to protect workers amid industry transformation.
At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Gocha Aleksandria’s contribution to the development of Kazakh trade unions was recognized with the FTURK Jubilee Medal “120 Years of the Trade Union Movement.”
“We are proud of our trade union history because it reflects the people’s essence of the organization: for the people and with the people. We are glad that our partners remain with us on this path,” emphasized Satybaldy Dauletalin.
It should be noted that in recent years, FTURK’s interaction with ILO/ACTRAV has been systematic and covers a wide range of areas. Key focuses include the application of international labor standards, occupational health and safety, development of social partnership, gender equality, implementation of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in labor, regulation of labor migration, and trade union participation in climate agenda and promotion of just transition principles.
Tomorrow, January 29, under the ILO’s auspices, a High-Level Tripartite Roundtable on Social Dialogue and Dispute Resolution within the framework of the Roadmap for Promoting Decent Work in Kazakhstan will begin in Astana.
FTURK Trade Union Communications Center