The meeting attended by union leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan featured a presentation and discussion of the Future of Work Initiative and addressed the unions’ role and involvement in the “centenary conversations.”

In her opening remarks, Maria Helena Andre stressed the importance for unions to take a lead in the discussion of the Future of Work Initiatives and confirmed that ACTRAV will continue to support national workers‘ organizations in building new capacities and knowledge to engage in the discussion and promotion of the Future of Work Initiative.

She further said that unions’ participation in the debate of the future of work is crucial, because it presents a unique opportunity to reply to the challenges in the world of work. Addressing inequalities is a top priority on union agenda today. The adoption of international labour standards (ILS) should start with ratification, to be followed by implementation and promotion.

It was the first meeting of union leaders from Central Asian countries since the breakup of the Soviet Union – and the first visit of the ACTRAV Director to the region.

Workers of the region are currently facing new challenges driven by factors such as the economic crisis in Russia, declining oil prices, devaluation of national currencies, labour migration, informal economy, and a rise of radical political and religious movements. The ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and ACTRAV have been implementing a series of projects and bilateral activities to support the promotion and implementation of fundamental principles and rights at work.

Today, two Decent Work Country Programmes have been adopted in the region – in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Three of the six National Union Centre leaders in Central Asian countries are women.