On Monday, April 28, an international forum – the Meeting of Chairpersons of Trade Unions of Central Asian Countries – is taking place in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. The event, organized jointly with the Workers’ Bureau of the International Labour Organization, is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Center of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan. The Kazakh delegation is headed by Kairat Aibosynov, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Opening the event, Oguljennet Berdiliyeva, Chairperson of the National Center of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan, emphasized that the trade union community of Turkmenistan is open to dialogue with colleagues from Central Asia.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Maria Helena Andre, Director of the Workers’ Bureau of the International Labour Organization, Sergiusz Glovackas, Head of the Department for Europe and Central Asia of the ILO, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, the heads of delegations from the National Trade Union Centers of Central Asia delivered their speeches.
In his address, Kairat Aibosynov, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, congratulated his Turkmen colleagues on the anniversaries.
“30 years since the founding of the National Center of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan represent a significant milestone in the country’s history, symbolizing not only past achievements but also the emerging horizons for further development. Over the years, the National Center of Trade Unions has played a vital role in protecting workers’ rights and interests, supporting social justice, and improving working conditions. Your efforts to strengthen and defend the labor rights of Turkmenistan’s citizens are an invaluable contribution to the development of the country’s social and economic well-being,” said Kairat Aibosynov.
The head of the Kazakh delegation also addressed international experts. “We express special gratitude to the International Labour Organization, represented by Maria Helena Andre, and our colleagues from the national trade union centers of Central Asian countries for their attention and joint initiatives to promote the principles of social justice and decent work,” he noted.
The event featured panel sessions in which all delegations of the National Trade Union Centers presented their positions. During the session “Principles of Neutrality: Contemporary Practice and Cooperation,” Kairat Aibosynov highlighted the principles of neutrality.
“For three decades, Turkmenistan’s neutrality has served as a solid foundation for a peaceful and stable life for its citizens. The country’s neutrality has become a symbol of independence, sovereignty, and a commitment to peace and cooperation with other nations,” emphasized Aibosynov.
Speaking about cooperation between National Trade Union Centers and international institutions, Kairat Aibosynov underlined the Federation’s commitment to strengthening dialogue and joint actions.
“We need to combine efforts to revive and modernize trade unions, protect workers’ rights, and promote the principles of justice and the provisions of the New Social Contract for the benefit of working people. Trade unions actively engage in addressing pressing issues such as employment, occupational safety, equal rights, migrant protection, gender equality, and social security. Amid labor market instability and increasing digitalization, they adapt approaches to not only respond to challenges but also anticipate them. Considering current global changes, the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan reaffirms its readiness for constructive cooperation with international partners in advancing ILO’s key initiatives and fostering more sustainable and safe working conditions,” stated Kairat Aibosynov.
During the second plenary session titled “The Role of Trade Unions in Protecting Workers’ Rights,” Kazakhstan was represented by Asem Ospanova, Chief Expert of the Organizational and Control Work Department of the FTURK. She spoke about the measures taken by the Federation in collaboration with social partners to improve socio-labor relations and develop social dialogue.
“The General Agreement signed in March last year incorporated a wide range of new progressive mechanisms for addressing socially significant issues in accordance with ILO-recommended approaches and indicators. As a result of the persistent efforts of the Federation, in March 2024, the RTC approved a methodology for determining the minimum wage, which was then ratified by a government resolution. A key focus of the FTURK is ensuring reliable protection of workers’ rights to safe working conditions. Trade unions actively participated in working groups to amend legislation and develop the Safe Labor Concept for 2024–2030. A roadmap was also signed to promote decent work in Kazakhstan, outlining specific measures for labor safety, improving labor protection laws, and evaluating the compliance of Kazakhstan’s labor inspection system with ratified ILO Conventions No. 81 and No. 129,” the representative of the Kazakh delegation shared.
According to Asem Ospanova, the role of social partnership, its mechanisms, and tools in preventing and resolving labor conflicts is undeniable.
“To identify risks of labor disputes and areas of potential social tension, the Federation conducts weekly trade union monitoring. In 2024, the number of labor conflicts decreased by 19% compared to 2023 (84 cases in 2023). Of the 68 recorded cases, 49 (28%) were resolved without strikes through negotiation and awareness efforts. A step-by-step action plan helped respond effectively to disputes, while the roadmap approved for 2025–2026 aims to prevent new conflicts. Over the year, more than 1,100 labor consultations were held involving about 9,000 employees, along with 491 training seminars attended by 35,000 participants. In 2024, the Federation conducted 590 training seminars both online and offline, covering 32,495 union members,” shared the FTURK representative.
As a result of the international meeting in Ashgabat, representatives of the National Trade Union Centers of Central Asia discussed and adopted recommendations for social partners to further promote the principles of decent work in the region.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan