Read the Initial Assessment published 15 December 2023: English
Read the Final Statement published 18 July 2024: English
On 5 December 2022, Branch Professional Union of Machine Builders, a trade union, submitted a specific instance to the NCP of Kazakhstan alleging that JSC «EPK Stepnogorsk», a manufacturing company in Kazakhstan, had not observed the Concepts and Principles (Chapter I), General Policies (Chapter II), Human Rights (Chapter IV), and Employment and Industrial Relations (Chapter V) provisions of the Guidelines. Specifically, the submitters alleged that the company had violated the terms of an Industry Agreement in accordance with Kazakhstan national legislation on trade unions. Parallel proceedings were ongoing with the company and submitter in accordance with such national legislation.
On 15 December 2023, the NCP published an initial assessment deciding that the specific instance merited further examination and moved to offer good offices to the parties. The parties informed the NCP that the company had agreed through the court proceedings to pay the relevant submitters all of the social contributions that had been due according to the Industry Agreement. Considering the satisfaction of the parties at the results of the court proceedings, they did not enter into mediation within the NCP process. The parties instead requested that the NCP support in the development of proposals to improve approaches to social partnerships in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The NCP held consultations with relevant experts to study the issue and consulted with the submitters of the specific instance. The proposals were sent to the parties for consideration and approval in May 2024.
On 18 July 2024, the NCP published a final statement concluding the procedure with agreement between the parties. The NCP recommended that the parties continue dialogue and cooperation, as appropriate. No follow up is planned.