The International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a high-level tripartite round table in Astana, Kazakhstan, to advance social dialogue, promote freedom of association, and strengthen mechanisms for resolving labour disputes. This event was held within the framework of Kazakhstan’s Roadmap for the Promotion of Decent Work, which outlines commitments to enhance labour relations, social dialogue, and compliance with international labour standards. The two-day meeting brought together over 50 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Confederation of Employers “PARYZ,” the Federation of Trade Unions, ILO officials, and the UN Resident Coordinator. Discussions focused on improving the institutional framework for social dialogue and promoting effective prevention and resolution of collective labour disputes.
Participants examined ways to strengthen social dialogue institutions and improve the functioning of tripartite mechanisms at both national and local levels. Key topics included clarifying the roles and responsibilities of employers’ and workers’ organizations, ensuring transparency in decision-making processes, and aligning practices with international labour standards. The round table highlighted freedom of association and collective bargaining as both fundamental rights and practical tools for preventing conflicts and building sustainable labour relations.
The meeting also explored peaceful mechanisms for preventing and resolving collective labour disputes. ILO specialists shared international experiences in conciliation, mediation, and voluntary arbitration as tools to address conflicts at an early stage, reducing the risk of escalation. Experts emphasized that these mechanisms should complement, not replace, collective bargaining and recommended incorporating labour dispute resolution procedures into collective agreements at the enterprise level.
Current labour reforms in Kazakhstan were discussed in relation to international standards. Specialists stressed the need to strengthen the representativeness and independence of trade unions and employers’ organizations to ensure effective social dialogue and improve the performance of the National Tripartite Commission as the main forum for labour market and socio-economic reforms. The round table concluded with an agreement to consolidate the discussions into practical recommendations, which, with ILO support, will inform proposals to enhance Kazakhstan’s national system for social dialogue and collective labour dispute resolution.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, highlighted the connection between effective tripartite dialogue, fundamental human rights, and strong representative institutions. She noted that the UN Cooperation Framework Agreement for 2026–2030 prioritizes decent work, social cohesion, and inclusive labour relations, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen social dialogue and labour protections in Kazakhstan.
