A training on "Addressing and preventing violence and harassment in the world of work" was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Astana, Kazakhstan from 22 to 24 September 2025. The event brought together 28 labour inspectors, representatives of ministries, social partners and OSH experts to strengthen knowledge and skills on the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206).
This is not only a matter of human rights and dignity, but also a question of the quality of labour relations, productivity and social stability.
Yerbolat Abulkhatin, Deputy Chairman of the State Labour Inspection Committee
"The issue of violence and harassment in the workplace is relevant today for all countries, including Kazakhstan," said Yerbolat Abulkhatin, Deputy Chairman of the State Labour Inspection Committee. "This is not only a matter of human rights and dignity, but also a question of the quality of labour relations, productivity and social stability. Today's training will not only deepen knowledge of the provisions of Convention No. 190, but also develop practical skills."
The training was designed in line with Kazakhstan's national context and political will to ratify Convention No. 190 and adapt its key provisions into the practice of labour inspectors and social partners. It aimed to help participants define violence and harassment in the world of work, understand the importance of joint action by labour inspectors, employers and workers, and establish effective grievance mechanisms to address reported cases.
Elmira Zhanbyrova, Senior Specialist of the HR Department of NMSK Kazmortransflot LLP, Aktau emphasized: "The training is of high relevance as the issues of violence and harassment in the workplace do indeed occur. This training is well designed with a number of interactive activities that ensure involvement of all participants. Such training would be quite impactful for the top managers of enterprises who shape the corporate policies."
The sessions were facilitated by Helena Pérez Vásquez, ILO international consultant with more than 25 years' experience in discrimination, violence and harassment prevention. The course combined theory and practical exercises, allowing participants to become fully engaged. Interactive exercises ensured smooth transition between discussions and enabled each participant to reflect on their role in making the working environment safer.
Participants expressed positive impressions of the training and emphasized its timeliness. They identified concrete actions to further study, adapt and effectively apply the provisions of the Convention in practice. While the Republic of Kazakhstan is preparing for the ratification, commitments to introduce Convention provisions into the national legislative framework are already reflected in the General Agreement on Social Partnership for 2024-2026. The participants also noted that some provisions of the Convention can be included in collective agreements and corporate policies today.
"The Convention No. 190 addresses socially vital matters that indeed have a tremendous impact on the overall workers' safety at the workplace. While we are only preparing to the ratification of this Convention in the Republic of Kazakhstan, we, trade unions, have a practical option of starting to incorporate certain provisions of the Convention into collective agreements now, raise awareness among sectoral trade unions and technical inspectors," said Tleules Madyarova, Chairman of the Branch of the PA "Sectoral trade union of workers of the construction sector, housing and communal services".
The training was conducted under the RBSA-funded initiative Promoting occupational safety and health through social dialogue in mining sector in Kazakhstan, with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and within the framework of the Roadmap for Promoting Decent Work (2024-2025). It is part of the ILO's broader support to Kazakhstan in preparing for the ratification of Convention No. 190 and Recommendation No. 206, adopted at the ILO International Labour Conference in 2019.
