Kazakhstan concludes mining safety project with tripartite review

ASTANA (ILO News) - Representatives of government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations gathered in Astana on 25 June to review the achievements of the ILO RBSA-funded initiative Promoting occupational safety and health through social dialogue in the mining sector in Kazakhstan and discuss priorities for future action.

© ILO

© ILO

Throughout the project, the International Labour Organization (ILO) worked closely with the tripartite constituents to strengthen institutional capacities, promote international labour standards and support social dialogue through analytical work, practical tools and capacity-building activities. The initiative focused on improving occupational safety and health in Kazakhstan’s mining sector.

Mukhtar Tinikeev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted that the project helped advance several important issues, including consideration of the ratification of the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176).

Participants welcomed the project’s contribution to raising awareness of international occupational safety and health standards, promoting their implementation in Kazakhstan and strengthening social dialogue in the mining sector.

“Today’s session is another opportunity for us to see how social dialogue works in practice,” said Zhumabek Zhanykulov, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Confederation of Employers “PARYZ”. “The value of dialogue is not defined by the discussion itself, but by its ability to deliver concrete results for the economy, the labour market and social welfare.”

© ILO

© ILO

During the session, participants were introduced to E-Collab.OSH, a digital platform on occupational safety and health developed with the support of the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and the project. An overview of the platform’s key indicators illustrated its practical value for users.

“Safe working conditions are far more than a legal obligation – they are a cornerstone of decent work and sustainable development. The ILO remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan in implementing international labour standards on occupational safety and health,” said Mikhail Pouchkin, Director of the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Participants also viewed a video highlighting the visit to the Kazakhstanskaya mine and the round table held in Karaganda to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The video showcased miners’ working conditions and progress in improving workplace safety.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed appreciation for the ILO’s support and underlined the importance of taking cooperation between the ILO and Kazakhstan to a new level. The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan also expressed its support for further institutional reforms to promote economic growth, stronger social protection and safe and decent work.

The project’s achievements provide a strong foundation for continued cooperation to strengthen labour inspection and promote safer and healthier workplaces in Kazakhstan.