February 2012

• Research conference on social partnership in Russia
  28-29 February 2012. On February 28-29 Moscow’s Academy of Labour and Social Relations hosted a research conference organized by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia. It was devoted to the 20th anniversary of social partnership in Russia and the 10th anniversary of Russia’ Labour Code.
• Kazakh employment rate increases in 2011
  27 February 2012. The measures being conducted within the framework of the Employment Programme - 2020 have had positive impact on the labour market in the country, the Kazakh prime minister's website, www.pm.kz, reports.
• Over two per cent unemployment rate logged in Tajikistan
  27 February 2012. Over 73,800 unemployed citizens were on Tajikistan's employment offices' watch lists in early January, 2012, which was more by 12.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.
• Official unemployment in Azerbaijan decreased by 0.24%
  22 February 2012. State Statistics Committee released data on unemployment in Azerbaijan, which is on the methodology of the International Labor Organization was in the beginning of 2012 to 5.73% of employed population.
• First household employment survey starts in Belarus
  20 February 2012. The first sample survey to study household employment started in Belarus on February 20.
  According to the National Statistics Committee (Belstat), similar surveys are carried out all over the world to analyze the labor market and beginning from 2012 Belarus’ households will be also monitored every three months.
• Statement by Juan Somavia Director-General, International Labour Organization On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice 20 February 2012 “A new era of social justice”
  20 February 2012. A commentator writing on recent protests observed that they had been initially driven not by any particular ideology but rather by “the most human of emotions – the quest for dignity and justice.”
  More than 90 years ago this was the message of the ILO’s founding principles: labour is not a commodity and lasting peace must be founded on justice. Today we must commit to a new era of social justice.
• Kazakhstan introduces international standards for occupational health and safety management systems
  17 February 2012. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection Birzhan Nurymbetov told a meeting of the human rights commission on February 17 that this year the Central Asian republic would launch an automated information system on occupational safety and health at enterprises.
• Georgia’s State Minister for Diaspora Issues Mirza Papuna Davitaia made an official visit to Switzerland
  11 February 2012. In early February Georgia’s State Minister for Diaspora Issues Mirza Papuna Davitaia made an official visit to Switzerland, where he met with the Executive Director of the International Labour Organization, Guy Rider, and the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, William Lacy Swing.
• Anti-trafficking training manual for law enforcers presented in Yerevan
  10 February 2012. The OSCE Office in Yerevan presented a new training manual for law enforcers on combating human trafficking.
• Wages in Kazakhstan grow by 22.5 per cent year on year
  10 February 2012. The average monthly wage of one worker in December 2011 was 119,144 tenge [about 805 dollars] in Kazakhstan, and increased by 22.5 per cent compared to December 2010.
• New book on international mechanisms for protection of labour rights comes out in Moscow
  8 February 2012. On February 8 the ILO Moscow Office hosted a presentation of the book on application of international mechanisms for protection of labour and trade union rights.
• Kazakh minister calls for reducing need for foreign workforce
  7 February 2012. The Kazakh Labour and Social Protection Ministry is planning to conclude agreements with companies with foreign participation on cutting the number of foreign workers.
• UNESCO and ILO Moscow offices present their joint publication: Education, Support and Protection of Learners and Educators Living with HIV or Affected by Epidemic. Practical Recommendations on HIV Policy Implementation in Education Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
  2 February 2012. The number of people, including children, living with HIV keeps growing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is the only region where HIV prevalence remains on the rise. Thousands of adults, adolescents and children living with or affected by HIV get education or work in educational institutions across the region.