Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
ITUC protests over proposed strike law changes
The International Trade Union Confederation has written a letter of protest to the speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament over plans to restrict the right to strike. If the legislation is enacted then strikes in strategic enterprises could be deemed illegal and trade unions subject to criminal charges. Read more at > ITUC (EN)
Courts deregister independent union confederation
(January 2017) The International Trade Union Confederation is committed to support its affiliate the CNTUK confederation in the face of the courts' decision to withdraw registration of the confederation and two of its affiliates in the health and social services sector. The authorities have also taken action against the general secrerary and seized confederation documents. The ITUC had previously written to the President complaining of the government's failure to comply with ILO Convention 87 in relation to the CNTUK.
Economic situation and workers’ rights, organizing, privatization, PSI Congress top agenda in Russia-Central Asia constituency
Outsourcing of laundry services in hospitals, the establishment of private clinics and how to represent and defend workers were some of the developments that confront the Kyrgyz and Tajik health unions.
Union movement calls on EU to speak out on trade union rights
(April 2017) The European and International Trade Union Confederations wrote a joint letter to EU High Representative Federica Mogherini calling on the EU to raise the serious attacks on trade union rights in the EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee. The ETUC highlighted the detention, intimidation and arbitrary interrogation by the police of trade unionists because of their union activities urged the EU to demand that the Kazakh government ensure full respect for the right to freedom of association.
Japanese and European public service unions condemn secrecy in trade negotiations and the lack of a progressive agenda addressing people’s concerns
Today Public services unions from Europe and Japan have sent an open letter to Cecilia Malstrom and Fumio Kishida demanding greater transparency in the negotiations to reach a trade agreement between Japan and the EU (JEFTA).
ITUC calls for withdrawal of draft trade union law
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has written to the President of Kyrgyzstan calling on him to withdraw the draft law on trade unions. The ITUC says that the bill conflicts with the fundamental International Labour Organisation Conventions 87 and 98 on the rights to freedom of association, to organise and collective bargaining. According to the ITUC the draft legislation also contravenes ILO Convention 144 on tripartite consultation as wells as parts of the Kyrgyz constitution. If passed, the law will undermine trade union independence and the freedom of trade unions to set
