The International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a training on “Addressing and preventing violence and harassment in the world of work” in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 22 to 24 September 2025. The event gathered 28 labour inspectors, ministry representatives, social partners, and occupational safety and health experts to enhance understanding of the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206). The training emphasized that addressing workplace violence is not only a matter of human rights and dignity but also crucial for improving labour relations, productivity, and social stability.
Yerbolat Abulkhatin, Deputy Chairman of the State Labour Inspection Committee, highlighted the relevance of the issue in Kazakhstan and stressed that the training would deepen participants’ knowledge of the Convention while developing practical skills for implementation. The program was tailored to Kazakhstan’s national context and political will to ratify Convention No. 190, aiming to help participants define violence and harassment, recognize the importance of joint action by labour inspectors, employers, and workers, and establish effective grievance mechanisms.
Elmira Zhanbyrova, Senior Specialist at NMSK Kazmortransflot LLP, noted the high relevance of the training and praised its interactive design, which engaged participants and could influence corporate policies. Facilitated by ILO international consultant Helena Pérez Vásquez, the course combined theory with practical exercises, allowing participants to actively reflect on their roles in creating safer workplaces.
Participants expressed strong support for the training and identified actionable steps to study, adapt, and implement the provisions of the Convention. While Kazakhstan is preparing for ratification, commitments to integrate Convention provisions into the national legislative framework are already reflected in the General Agreement on Social Partnership for 2024–2026. Tleules Madyarova, Chairman of the Branch of the Sectoral Trade Union, highlighted that some provisions could already be included in collective agreements and corporate policies to enhance workplace safety.
The training was conducted under the RBSA-funded initiative “Promoting occupational safety and health through social dialogue in the mining sector in Kazakhstan,” supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and within the framework of the Roadmap for Promoting Decent Work (2024–2025). It forms part of ILO’s broader support to Kazakhstan in preparing for the ratification of Convention No. 190 and Recommendation No. 206, adopted at the 2019 ILO International Labour Conference.
