On Monday, 1 June, the official Kazakh delegation headed by Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FTURK) Satybaldy Dauletalin took part in the 54th Congress of the General Confederation of Labour of France (CGT) at the invitation of the French side.
In his congratulatory address to the Congress, FTURK Chairman Satybaldy Dauletalin highlighted the CGT’s significant contribution to the development and strengthening of the trade union movement, its consistent efforts to protect workers’ social and labour rights, and its commitment to the principles of solidarity, democracy, and social dialogue.
Commenting on the work of the Congress to the FTURK Trade Union Communications Centre, the Kazakh trade union leader noted that the decisions adopted during the event would contribute to the further development of French trade unions and strengthen their role in society.
“In the face of today’s global challenges, the role of trade unions as defenders of workers’ rights and interests, as well as promoters of social justice and decent work, is becoming increasingly important. The Congress will mark a new stage in strengthening solidarity, fairness, and social protection for workers. The Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed confidence in the further expansion and deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between the national trade union centres of Kazakhstan and France for the protection of workers’ rights and the strengthening of international trade union solidarity,” said Satybaldy Dauletalin.
On the sidelines of the Congress, the Kazakh delegation headed by the FTURK Chairman held a number of meetings with foreign colleagues.
Satybaldy Dauletalin and European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Esther Lynch discussed the global trade union agenda, paying particular attention to the readiness of trade union communities to address contemporary labour market challenges, including industrial automation, digitalization, and the introduction of artificial intelligence. It should be recalled that the Pan-European Regional Council has endorsed as the basis for its draft final document the Standard for the Protection of Workers’ Rights in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, developed by FTURK.
During a meeting with CGT General Secretary Sophie Binet, Satybaldy Dauletalin agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations between the national trade union centres of Kazakhstan and France. In the near future, the parties will organize bilateral consultations on a number of areas of trade union activity and establish a regular exchange of experience and best practices.
Sophie Binet has served as General Secretary of the CGT since 2023. She was elected at the Confederation’s 53rd Congress and became the first woman in the history of the organization to hold this position.
The FTURK Chairman also met with representatives of the national trade union centre of the Netherlands and the Confederation of Arab Trade Unions during the Congress.
Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) is one of the oldest and most influential trade union organizations in France, representing approximately 640,000 members. Established 130 years ago through the unification of various currents of the French labour movement of the late nineteenth century, the CGT has played a key role in the history of the French labour movement through nationwide strikes, social reforms, resistance activities during the Second World War, and campaigns against pension and labour reforms in the twenty-first century. In 1999, the Confederation joined the European Trade Union Confederation, and in 2000 France introduced a new Labour Code establishing the 35-hour working week, marking a significant milestone in the development of French labour legislation.
Today, the CGT brings together sectoral federations, including metallurgy, transport, energy, and public services, as well as territorial organizations across departments and regions.
The 54th Congress of the General Confederation of Labour of France is taking place from 31 May to 5 June in the city of Tours. The event has brought together 120 international delegates from more than 70 countries and over 1,000 delegates representing the Confederation from all regions of France.
FTURK Trade Union Communications Centre