Kazakhstan: Government Action Against ITUC Affiliate

The ITUC is deeply concerned at the withdrawal by the courts in Kazakhstan of the registration of the ITUC-affiliated Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan (CNTUK) and two of its member organisations, the Domestic and Social Workers Union and the Healthcare and Social Development Workers Union.

In a sudden move this week, the authorities have launched further actions against the CNTUK and its President, Larisa Kharkova, including the seizure of documents of the organisation, effectively paralysing the CNTUK’s activities.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: “We call upon the Kazakhstan government to cease the actions against the CNTUK and fulfil its obligations to respect ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association which, under the country’s Constitution, has prevalence over national legislation. We are following this case closely, and will support the CNTUK and its affiliates in every way.”

Protest letter to President Nazarbayev, re cntuk registration