The workshop gathered young trade union activists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan who are taking part in their union’s youth activities and organising efforts.

The workshop organisers offered a dense agenda which included presentations, round-table discussions and exchange of opinions on trade union values and ideas as well as practical instruments of organising.

The participants were greeted by President of FPRK, Abelgazi Kusainov. An overview of the ILO work in the region and its ACTRAV activities was offered by Sergeyus Glovackas, who counselled the young activists to gain competence and discipline to be able to combat the challenges the unions face in the region.

Anton Leppik from ITUC-PERC (Brussels) elaborated on the human and trade union rights issues and the international instruments to protect them. Goda Neverauskaite, PERC Youth Committee President, presented youth union work on European level. Dmitry Chuykov, member of PERC Youth Committee and FNPR Youth Council was talking to participants about unions and civil society, while Yuliya Velichko from FNPR’s Murmansk Trade Union Federation focused on the role of communication in recruiting new members.

While working in groups, participants made attempts to articulate hurdles they come across when they intensify the organising of young people as well as draft plans on recruiting new members.

It should be noted that participants decided to set up the Central Asian network of Young trade unionists, which will work to improve cooperation of youth activists in Unions of Central Asia, to strengthen solidarity to achieve better social and economic conditions for youth.