On Thursday, September 17, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FTURK) Satybaldy Dauletalin held a working meeting with the heads of the Territorial Trade Union Associations of the regions.
The meeting focused on preparations for and the organization of events dedicated to Labour Day and Trade Union Day, as well as the implementation of the national campaign “Strong Trade Union — Strong Voice of the Working Person.”
Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the FTURK emphasized that the upcoming events should not be merely formal calendar occasions, but an opportunity to demonstrate the real work of trade unions, their contribution to protecting labour rights and improving the quality of life of workers.
“Labour Day is, first and foremost, the day of the working person. Therefore, our task is to ensure that public attention is focused on their productive work, their rights, safety and decent working conditions. A trade union should be alongside a worker not only when a labour dispute arises, but every day — at the workplace, in the primary trade union organization and in the workforce,” Satybaldy Dauletalin noted.
During the meeting, the heads of the Territorial Trade Union Associations presented their views on ensuring meaningful content for the events and broad engagement of primary trade union organizations, workforces, young people and trade union activists. Particular attention will be paid to people whose daily work ensures the stability and development of enterprises, industries and regions.
The Chairman of the FTURK emphasized the need, as part of the planned events, to present as widely as possible the stories of workers, trade union leaders and workforces demonstrating professionalism, responsibility, solidarity and commitment to labour values.
“It is important for us not only to speak about trade unions, but also to speak through trade unions about the working person. Behind every figure and every production indicator stands a specific worker. Their work must be protected, fairly paid and safe. Our work should be built around these values,” emphasized the Head of the FTURK.
A separate part of the meeting was devoted to the implementation of the “Strong Trade Union — Strong Voice of the Working Person” campaign.
Among the key objectives of the campaign are strengthening the influence of trade unions within the system of social partnership in every region, strengthening ties with primary trade union organizations, and improving the effectiveness of legal protection for working people.
In this regard, the Territorial Trade Union Associations were instructed to ensure systematic work with branches of sectoral trade unions and, through them, with primary trade union organizations.
“A strong trade union begins with a strong primary organization. It is precisely where a worker deals with issues of wages, safety, working conditions and social protection on a daily basis that trust in the trade union is formed. Therefore, the voice of the primary organization must be heard, and its work must become part of the overall agenda of the Federation, starting with the Territorial Trade Union Associations,” said Satybaldy Dauletalin.
The Chairman of the FTURK also emphasized the need to unite the efforts of all levels of the trade union movement.
According to him, all trade union activities should be based on concrete results: collective agreements concluded, workers’ rights protected, working conditions improved, labour issues resolved and social initiatives implemented.
“Today, a trade union must be not only a defender of workers’ rights, but also their strong voice in society. Our principle is simple: a working person should know that they are not alone. Behind them are their primary organization, sectoral trade union, Territorial Trade Union Association and the Federation. This is what trade union solidarity means,” said the Chairman of the FTURK.
Concluding the meeting, Satybaldy Dauletalin, speaking about the priorities of trade union work, reminded his colleagues that strengthening social dialogue and effectively protecting the interests of workers are essential for ensuring stable labour relations at enterprises across the regions of the country.
FTURK Trade Union Communications Centre