Oriented on making people closer

The delegation of Turkmenistan, headed by Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Mukhammedseit Silapov, is participating in the 113th session of the International Labor Conference (ILC), held in Geneva from 3 to 13 June.

In his speech at the plenary session of the Conference, Minister Silapov emphasized the country's commitment to the principles of social justice, decent work and international cooperation. He noted the compliance of Turkmenistan's strategy, reflected in the "National Program of Socioeconomic Development for 2022-2052", with the approach proposed in the report of the ILO Director-General "Jobs, Rights and Growth: Strengthening the Nexus".

The Minister particularly emphasized the growing recognition of social dialogue as an effective tool for shaping state policy in the field of labor and employment.

During the plenary session, head of the National Center of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan, Oguljennet Berdiliyeva, also spoke, emphasizing the active participation of the country's trade unions in the formation of state social policy in the format of trilateral interaction.

Significant progress in the application of labor conventions

The conference agenda includes the application of international labor standards, protection against biological risks, development of decent work in the platform economy and measures to combat informal employment. It also examines situations in a number of countries related to violations of international labor conventions. Over the past few years, Turkmenistan has been repeatedly included in the list of countries of concern to the ILO regarding the application of Convention No. 105 (on the abolition of forced labor). This issue was considered separately at the 105th, 109th, 111th and 112th sessions of the Conference.

It is important to note that this year Turkmenistan has been excluded from the short list of countries whose cases are subject to detailed consideration, which is a significant result of the consistent work of the Government of Turkmenistan together with the International Labor Organization to eliminate comments and improve the practice of applying Convention No. 105, according to a press release from the Turkmen Embassy in Geneva.

The visit of the Turkmen delegation to Geneva was also marked by a series of important meetings that confirmed the country's commitment to the principles of decent work and international cooperation.

Meetings with ILO leadership

As part of the session, important meetings were held between Minister Mukhammedseit Silapov and ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo and Assistant Director-General – Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Beate Andrees.

During the talks with Gilbert Houngbo, the positive dynamics of cooperation, the results achieved in promoting ILO conventions and improving labor legislation were noted. Minister Silapov invited the ILO Director-General to take part in the December events in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, to which he received his consent in principle. Mr. Houngbo, in turn, highly appreciated the dynamics of cooperation, especially the progress on issues related to the cotton industry, and emphasized the importance of further implementing the recommendations of the Committee on the Application of ILO Standards.

During the meeting with Beate Andrees, the parties discussed the current state of cooperation, the results achieved and plans for further interaction, paying particular attention to the complete exclusion of Turkmenistan cases from the ILO agenda in the context of Convention No. 105. An agreement was reached to continue constructive cooperation with the active involvement of trade unions and employers' associations.

Strengthening social dialogue with international partners

Important meetings of the Turkmen delegation with key international partners were held: Secretary General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE) Roberto Suarez-Santos and Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Luc Triangle.

Prospects for deepening cooperation, technical support, expanding the participation of national employers and harmonization of labor legislation were discussed with the IOE. The Turkmen side confirmed its readiness for active interaction and further accession to ILO conventions.

During the meeting with ITUC, issues of expanding trilateral cooperation (government - employers - trade unions) were discussed, including in the context of the Law of Turkmenistan "On the Tripartite Commission for the Regulation of Social and Labor Relations" and the ratification of Convention No. 144. ITUC expressed satisfaction with the openness and activity of Turkmenistan in trilateral cooperation, discussing the possibility of future membership of Turkmen trade unions in ITUC subject to certain criteria.

The visit of the delegation of Turkmenistan to Geneva emphasized the country's desire to further expand the partnership, including the development of social dialogue and the full implementation of international labor obligations, taking into account national priorities and global standards.

ORIENT

Photo: switzerland.tmembassy.gov.tm