On Wednesday, February 12, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FPRK), Satylbaldy Dauletalin, commenced a working visit to the Kostanay region. During this visit, the Head of the FPRK will tour industrial enterprises in the region, engage with labor collectives, and conduct a series of meetings with social partners and trade union representatives. The primary objectives of the visit include assessing the socio-labor situation, discussing further steps for the development of social partnership in the region, and facilitating direct dialogue with rank-and-file workers.
The first meeting took place at the railway station with the labor collective of the Kostanay branch of LLP “KTZ Cargo Transportation.” The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, Satylbaldy Dauletalin, began his interaction with trade union representatives, workers, and railway enterprise leaders by familiarizing himself with the activities of the trade union organizations of Kostanay railway workers.
Nurlan Orynbekov, Head of the Kostanay branch of the “KAZPROFTRANS” trade union, briefed Chairman Dauletalin on the key areas of trade union activities and cooperation with social partners. According to Orynbekov, the Kostanay branch comprises 13 primary trade union organizations with a total membership of 4,367, ensuring 100% trade union coverage.
“Occupational safety remains a top priority for the trade union. Currently, 46 technical inspectors operate within the primary trade union organizations, having conducted 569 inspections in 2024 alone. Additionally, 59 seminars and training sessions on safety and labor protection have been held. Last year, a new collective agreement for 2024–2026 was adopted. The average salary of railway workers is 481,991 tenge,” stated Nurlan Orynbekov.
Leaders of primary trade unions from the Kushmurun track section, the Kostanay operational locomotive depot, and the Tobol track section provided insights into their organizations’ activities. The Tobol track section, one of the oldest in the region, was established in 1943. It remains one of the most complex in terms of both maintenance and territorial coverage, spanning 800 kilometers and employing approximately 500 workers daily.
“Our trade union cell regularly monitors compliance with all provisions of the collective agreement. Within the framework of social partnership, labor collectives meet with management to discuss the collective agreement, the Labor Code, and other regulatory legal acts. In 2022, in collaboration with the trade union committee heads of track sections in the Kostanay division, we secured an extraordinary workplace certification for track fitters. As a result, starting in 2023, all track fitters receive six additional days of annual leave for hazardous working conditions,” stated Saule Syzdykova, Chair of the primary trade union organization of the Tobol track section.
She also emphasized the significance of the Federation of Trade Unions’ educational initiatives. “Each year, the Kostanay branch of ‘KAZPROFTRANS’ participates in training seminars for members of conciliation commissions and primary union leaders on industrial safety and labor protection. We have completed courses in mediation and psychology, applying the acquired knowledge in our daily work. I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to take part in these educational projects,” Syzdykova added.
Social partners—employers from regional railway enterprises—also shared their perspectives on trade union activities. According to Nurbol Sydyrmanov, Director of the Kostanay branch of the mainline network of JSC “National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy,” trade unions and employers maintain a cooperative relationship.
“Trade unions have a positive impact on employers by amplifying workers’ voices. At their initiative, we organize contests such as ‘Best Enterprise’ and ‘Best Train,’ which motivate all departments to achieve excellence in their operations,” noted Nurbol Sydyrmanov.
Taking advantage of the open dialogue with FPRK leadership, railway workers raised concerns about everyday issues, including disruptions in drinking water supply at Tobol station, poor mobile network coverage, lack of access to preferential mortgage lending, and transportation challenges around the locomotive depot area.
After listening to representatives from railway enterprises, Chairman Dauletalin underscored the importance of such meetings in understanding the current socio-labor situation. He elaborated on the key tasks facing social partners in labor collectives during the “Year of Working Professions.”
“Trade unions emerged in response to society’s demand for social justice. Their primary goals are ensuring fair wages for workers, maintaining safe working conditions, and advocating for employees’ interests through constructive social partnership. Joint efforts with social partners to enhance the content and quality of collective agreements—often regarded as the ‘mini-constitution’ of enterprises—play a fundamental role in fostering favorable conditions for both individual employees and entire enterprises. I emphasize that trade unions serve as a vital link in ensuring the stability of any enterprise. It is gratifying that employers in the railway industry of the Kostanay region recognize and support this,” stated Satylbaldy Dauletalin.
The FPRK Chairman also elaborated on the Federation’s legislative initiatives aimed at improving workers’ well-being, including proposals for annual wage indexation, ensuring safe working conditions, and promoting the progressive development of social partnership.
As part of his visit to the Kostanay branch of LLP “KTZ Cargo Transportation,” Chairman Dauletalin also toured the Labor Glory Museum, located within the Kostanay railway station. The museum houses unique archival documents, photographs, and samples of railway equipment and mechanisms preserved since the early 20th century. The exhibits also feature the histories of regional railway worker dynasties spanning nearly 120 years.
“It is crucial to preserve and pass on this legacy to future generations. This collection offers a unique narrative of railway workers. The ‘Year of Working Professions’ presents an excellent opportunity to restore the image of the laborer, highlight their role in national development, and reinstate the prestige of working professions,” remarked Satylbaldy Dauletalin after viewing the museum’s exhibits.
Concluding his meeting with railway workers, the FPRK Chairman awarded distinguished employees with the “Enbek Ozaty” medals and certificates for wellness retreats at the “Sosnovy Bor” trade union health resort.
The second day of the FPRK Chairman’s working visit to the Kostanay region will include a meeting with the labor collective of JSC “Sokolov-Sarbai Mining and Processing Production Association,” participation in a session of the Regional Tripartite Commission on Social and Labor Relations Regulation and Social Partnership Development, and a conference with trade union activists from the region.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan