The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in 126 countries, expresses its solidarity to Mangistau region oil workers who are struggling for their labour, social and trade union rights. WFTU expresses solidarity with all those who are opposed to the cuts in social benefits, wage cuts, layoffs, as well as against the adoption of the new Labour Code. Your struggle has not gone unnoticed, and we will monitor it closely and we fully support it.
The World Federation of Trade Unions is concerned about the intensification of the persecution and intimidation of trade unionists and the reopening of the criminal case against the Chairman of the trade union of the “Oil Construction Company” which began after you have collected more than 33,000 signatures from workers in various oil companies and industries against the adoption by Parliament of the Government’s draft of the Labour Code and delivered the petition to the administration of President Nazarbayev in Astana on September 7th.
The interference of the Government in trade union activities and the attempt to intimidate trade unionists must stop. This harassment is the beginning of the new repression in advance of possible strikes and protests, as well as a reaction to the statements of the workers against cuts in social benefits, infringement of benefits, cuts in wages, layoffs and violations by employers in different companies which previously signed memorandums of maintaining “social stability and prevent labor conflicts”.
The World Federation of Trade Unions appealed to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Government with a demand to stop the persecution of trade unionists oil, the abolishment of the Law “On Trade Unions” and the withdrawal of the new anti-labor Labor Code, adopted by the Parliament.
The World Federation of Trade Unions also welcomes your desire to unite in a single Coordinating Committee with democratic representation, regardless of union affiliation for the development of common demands, tactics and combating arbitrariness of employers. United in action based on our class interests we are stronger than the oligarchs and reactionary Governments.
The WFTU family is an open, democratic, class-oriented and independent trade union Organization with 70 years of internationalist and militant history. We are ready to provide fraternal solidarity and international support to you fair struggles. Denouncing the policy of the Government of Kazakhstan, the WFTU is open to cooperate with militant unions whether they are registered or not.
THE SECRETARIAT