ILO launches new project to promote occupational safety and health in Kazakhstan's mining sector
The ILO has launched a new project to promote occupational safety and health in Kazakhstan's mining sector, one of the country's most hazardous industries. Through enhanced social dialogue and strengthened labour standards, the initiative aims to reduce workplace risks, improve labour inspection capacities, and align national practices with international labour standards.
3 December 2024
ASTANA (ILO News) - on 3 December 2024, the International Labour Organization (ILO) officially launched a new project “Promoting Occupational Safety and Health through Social Dialogue in the Mining Sector in Kazakhstan". This initiative was designed and developed with the aim of responding to a specific request expressed by the Government and the social partners in Kazakhstan to address existing challenges in the mining sector, which is characterized as one of the most hazardous sectors, with a high number of work-related accidents resulting in injuries and worker fatalities. The project will also contribute to the effective implementation of the Roadmap for the Promotion of Decent Work in the Republic of Kazakhstan, signed in June 2024 by the ILO and Kazakhstan's constituents.
The official launch of the project was marked by a tripartite roundtable held in Astana, with the presence of and representatives from Government institutions, social partners and the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia officials.
The event was opened by Mr. Akmadi Sarbassov, First Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who stated that the creation of safe working conditions and the protection of labour rights are among the Ministry's key activities. In his opening statement, Sarbassov emphasised that the Ministry is working intensively to systematically improve labour legislation norms and implement the Safe Work Concept until 2030.
“The signing of the Roadmap for the Promotion of Decent Work in the Republic of Kazakhstan is an impetus for the development of our cooperation. With the support of the ILO, our joint efforts, and recommendations, we intend to make a substantial contribution to the Concept and the establishment of an efficient system of occupational safety and health. The goal of zero accidents is highly relevant. We express our readiness to cooperate,” he said.
The goal of zero accidents is highly relevant. We express our readiness to cooperate.
Akmadi Sarbassov, First Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The meeting continued with a detailed presentation by the ILO outlining the project goals, expected results, planned activities, and the proposed work plan.
The project’s interventions aim to strengthen fundamental principles and rights at work in the mining sector by enhancing the application of ILO Conventions on Freedom of Association (C87), Collective Bargaining (C98), and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) (C155 and C187), as well as Labour Inspection Conventions (C81 and C129). The project will promote and support strengthened social dialogue between workers and employers on OSH. It will also enhance the capacities of labour inspection and labour inspectors. Technical support will be provided for ongoing discussions and initiatives related to the possible ratification of the ILO Convention on Safety and Health in Mines (C176).
The presentation was followed by interventions and discussions from representatives of government institutions, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations. They expressed their support for the project, as well as a strong interest in and commitment to actively participating in its implementation.
Mr. Murat Muratbekov, Acting Chairman of the Committee on State Inspection of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted: "All the state bodies and social partners are interested in the qualitative implementation of the project. The choice of the mining sector is reasonable, as it proves to be a highly hazardous area. We express full readiness for cooperation on all project aspects."
Representatives from the National Confederation of Employers “PARYZ” reiterated their support for the project and emphasized the necessity of improving occupational safety and health conditions in the country. Mr. Zhumabek Zhanykulov, Chairman of the Presidium of the NCE “PARYZ”, stated: "In recent years, the ILO has permanently established itself in the Republic of Kazakhstan and has fostered fruitful social dialogue. This enables us to achieve optimal and mutually beneficial solutions while considering the country’s peculiarities and national needs."
During the discussions, participants highlighted a number of specific issues, requests, and proposals, emphasizing the importance of aligning national legislation and practices with international labour standards and positive experiences in this area. Inputs gathered during the round table discussions will be used to further refine the project activities.