Astana, 6 September 2024 (TDI): President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), in Kazakhstan, underscoring the importance of his first official visit to the country as a catalyst for enhanced cooperation.
President Tokayev emphasized the ILO’s crucial role in promoting social justice worldwide and highlighted Kazakhstan’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving social welfare, upholding the rule of law, and protecting human rights.
“We are building a Just Kazakhstan, which aligns with your social justice initiatives,” Tokayev stated.
The ILO’s mission to establish a reliable, fair, and effective social contract and to promote workers’ rights is undeniable, he added.
The president further said Kazakhstan has ratified 25 key ILO conventions, and this commitment will continue.
Houngbo lauded Kazakhstan’s reforms and recognized the country’s leading role in advancing the ILO’s objectives in the region.
He also acknowledged Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure favorable social and labor conditions in line with the ILO’s initiatives within the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
🔹 Kazakhstan and the International Labor Organization Discussed the State and Prospects of Cooperation in the Field of Labor Standards
🔗 https://t.co/AleaM3ZzoO pic.twitter.com/pbvbw0PKWt
— MFA Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 (@MFA_KZ) September 5, 2024
Houngbo’s Other Meeting
In a separate meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Houngbo expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for joining the coalition, which aims to prevent inequality and bring social justice to the forefront of global political discourse.
He proposed holding regional and international events in Kazakhstan as part of the coalition.
Nurtleu reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to ILO standards and outlined ongoing efforts to improve national labor laws.
He underscored the importance of tripartism and social dialogue between the government, workers, and employers.
Both sides expressed interest in resuming cooperation under the Decent Work Country Program and increasing Kazakhstan’s representation in the ILO.
Houngbo also met with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Tamara Duissenova, who reiterated Kazakhstan’s support for the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
She highlighted government efforts to create a fair labor market, raise citizens’ incomes, and maintain a balance between the interests of the state, employers, and workers through social dialogue and a tripartite commission.
Duissenova noted Kazakhstan’s focus on developing a highly qualified workforce by aligning its educational system with international standards, including opening 23 branches of top global universities.
She shared Kazakhstan’s successful social policies, such as the Digital Family Card, with other countries.
“The government is continually improving national legislation in line with ILO standards. Last year, the Social Code was adopted to regulate social relations, covering social security, labor rights, and social services,” she said, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s interest in deepening cooperation with the ILO.
Houngbo praised Kazakhstan’s progress and welcomed its active participation in the coalition, highlighting opportunities for knowledge exchange with other countries.
During his visit, he also attended a scientific and practical conference on promoting social justice in the era of the knowledge economy and artificial intelligence and met with representatives of trade unions and employers.
The ILO, established on April 11, 1919, is one of the oldest international organizations focused on labor relations and became the UN’s first specialized agency in 1946.
Kazakhstan has ratified 25 ILO conventions, including eight fundamental, four governance, and 13 technical, incorporating them into national legislation.
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