Kazakh union leader Erlan Baltabay imprisoned again1 November, 2019IndustriALL Global Union and the ITUC are calling for the release of Erlan Baltabay, a leader of the Independent Oil and Energy Workers’ Union in Kazakhstan, who has been returned to prison to serve a new 5-month term.
Ten years after Zhanaozen, Kazakh unions still under pressure 16 December, 202116 December marks the ten-year anniversary of the tragedy in Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, where police opened fire on protestors, killing 17 and injuring more than 100 workers. The violence ended a seven-month long strike, involving more than 3,000 workers demanding a wage increase.
Kazakhstan must respect union rights15 June, 2021For the fourth time, union rights violations in Kazakhstan were in focus at the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards during the International Labour Conference.
Kazakh Oil Construction Company cracks down on union activists7 April, 2017**UPDATED** On 7 April the court of Astana sentenced Nurbek Kushakbayev to two-and-a-half years in a corrective labour colony for his calls to hold a strike. This is the first time a union leader has been prosecuted through the recently adopted Criminal Code. The judge has also satisfied the OCC’s demand to collect KZT 25 million (US$80,000) from Kushakbayev for alleged harm caused to the company.IndustriALL has joined a campaign against the criminalization of union activities in Kazakhstan.
Unions unite to defend workers’ rights4 October, 2018Over 80 delegates representing 40 IndustriALL affiliates from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) met on 1 - 3 October in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss effective trade union response against the challenges in the regions.
ArcelorMittal workers in Kazakhstan take to the streets16 June, 2012During tripartite negotiations the management of ArcelorMittal Temirtau (Kazakhstan) refused to implement a 30% wage rise. On 19 May the workers took to the streets in an action which gathered over 3,000 people.
Base metals unions in CIS countries confront challenges20 April, 2018IndustriALL affiliates from CIS countries met on 17-18 April in Tbilisi, Georgia, to discuss union responses to trends and challenges in the base metals sector.
Activists in Kazakhstan face continued repression15 March, 2019Workers in Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, have been holding rallies since 22 February, demanding increased wages for low-paid categories of workers to 150 thousand tenge (US$395), jobs for the unemployed, and full freedom to exercise trade union activities. Kazakh authorities have responded by arresting 19 people.
Kazakh trade union leader faces 8 years in jail1 July, 2019IndustriALL Global Union has called on the president of Kazakhstan to intervene in the trial of Erlan Baltabay, a prominent trade union leader who is facing eight years in a jail and lifetime ban on holding a union position. The court is due to give its verdict any day.
Metalworkers of Kazakhstan prepare to fight for their 13th salary in court2 April, 2014The trade union of metalworkers «ZHAKTAU» is going to sue the board of directors of the company ArcelorMittal Temirtau for their refusal to pay the contract based 13th monthly salary for 2013.
