Trade unionists from the Eastern Europe and Central Asia are increasing their conflict prevention and management potential

The role of trade unions in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in conflict management and peacekeeping were the main topics discussed at the sub-regional seminar “Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience”, which took place from 10 to 12 July this year, in Kyrgyzstan. The event was supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Representatives of the trade unions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, as well as representatives of ILO-ACTRAV Office of Workers’ Activities. The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) was represented by Boris Babici, President of the Trade Union of Workers from Building Automobile and Agricultural Machinery Industry, Vasile Patrascu, Counselor of the CNSM President, Elena Dimitriu, senior consultant in the Department of Social and Economic Protection of CNSM.

During the meeting, those present discussed issues related to the implementation of decent work and employment requirements in conditions of instability, conflict and natural disasters in the name of peace and social welfare, and the role of the ILO in this respect. Discussions took place in the context of the need to comply with the provisions of the ILO Recommendation no. 205 of 2017 on “Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience” and the ILO Program to promote the creation of sustainable jobs.

“ILO Recommendation no. 205 is being discussed in our country for the first time. The progressive development of the economy will increase the standard of living of the population, and then we will probably be able to escape wars, disputes and conflicts. Discussions on similar issues in the region are a novelty and we hope to use all the information and knowledge. It is a good chance to exchange views and learn from the experience of other countries. Of course, with these discussions, the issues we raise will not end, it is important to act for the benefit of the communities,” said Rysgul Babayeva, vice-president of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan.

Boris Babici, president of the Trade Union of Workers from Building Automobile and Agricultural Machinery Industry of the Republic of Moldova, said that many people do not know about ILO Recommendation no. 205, but it is necessary to inform the trade unions of the Republic of Moldova in this regard, because with the help of the ILO Recommendation, various issues that have a massive impact on society, especially in the fields of employment, wages and social insurance, could have positive results for the benefit of citizens.

At the same time, Vasile Patrascu, counselor of CNSM president and Elena Dimitriu, senior consultant in the Department of Social and Economic Protection of the CNSM, said that it is necessary to discuss the issue addressed in Kyrgyzstan within the Tripartite Commission, and to determine the actions characteristic for the Republic Moldova in order to implement the priority measures according to ILO Recommendation no. 205. In order to study this Recommendation, delegates from the CNSM consider it beneficial to organize seminars with the participation of the members of the Confederal Committee of the CNSM, the trade union activists and the social partners. Trade unions in the Republic of Moldova will submit proposals to the National Strategic Implementation Plan of the Recommendation. We would like to point out that Moldovan trade unionists had a meeting with the Labour Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Isakunova Taalaikul.

The sub-regional seminar participants reviewed and discussed the recommendations on “Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience” and identified possible strategies and action plans for trade unions to prevent conflicts, disasters and peacekeeping.

Please note that the Recommendation (No. 205) on Employment and Work for Peace and Resilience, adopted at the 106^th International Labour Conference in 2017, updates a previous ILO Recommendation adopted in 1944 to provide answers to contemporary crisis generated by conflicts and disasters. It also extends the emphasis on the reconstruction and recovery standard to include prevention and training.

Department of mass media and international relations