The Future Lies in Creating Ecosystems of Decent Work
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) proposed a transition from platform employment to an ecosystem of decent work at the V Eurasian Economic Forum.
The international event took place on May 26–28 in Astana, with the main theme: "The EAEU in the Global Digital Race: Betting on Artificial Intelligence." The forum's program included three blocks: Transformation of the EAEU Market Development, Eurasian Connectivity, EAEU+, and side events. The event was held as part of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union in 2026. Special attention at the forum was paid to practical business issues. The main event of the forum was the plenary session with the participation of the heads of the EAEU states. The forum also featured an exhibition fair and a rich business program.
Margarita Usova, Deputy General Secretary of the GCTU, spoke at the session dedicated to "The Development of the EAEU Labour Market Using Digital Tools." The session was moderated by Bakhyt Sultanov, Member of the College (Minister) for Economy and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Discussion participants were invited to discuss promising areas for the development of a single labour market in the EAEU in the context of digitalization; predict the impact of technological development on the single labour market of the EAEU; and consider the development of national electronic services in the field of labour migration and the prospects for establishing interaction between them within the EAEU.
"For the development of a single labour market in the EAEU under modern conditions, unified high-quality digital platforms are needed that could ensure interaction among three key parties — trade unions, employers, and governments. We propose a systemic solution: to 'embed' collective and employment contracts into existing digital job search platforms, which will provide workers with both a convenient service and guarantee transparency in cross-border labour relations. Similar ecosystems of decent work are being considered in other countries and integration associations. To enhance the competitiveness of the EAEU labour market, we need to further develop the digital platform 'Work Without Borders' based on the principles of social partnership, which could serve as an entry point into a common, secure labour market," Margarita Usova noted.
The discussion was also joined by Serhan Aktoprak, Head of the Mission of the International Organization for Migration in Kazakhstan, the country office with coordinating functions for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as heads of ministries and departments in the field of labour, social protection, and migration of the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The proposals voiced by the GCTU at the V Eurasian Economic Forum will be included in the draft of the new edition of the Model Law of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly "On Social Partnership," the work on which has begun at the initiative and under the patronage of the GCTU.
GCTU News
-
Belarusian Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union Turns 95
The Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union of the Republic of Belarus celebrated its 95th anniversary on July 31. Today, the union unites over 143,000 industry workers across the country, with 1,681 primary trade union organizations. The union reliably protects the rights of industry workers in the Republic and actively operates on the international stage as part of the International Confederation of Trade Unions of Workers in Trade, Catering, Consumer Cooperation, and Various Forms of Entrepreneurship.
-
GCTU Proposes Discussing Harmonization of National Social Partnership Systems at a Special Meeting of the Advisory Labour Council
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) proposed adding a special section to the 2028 CIS Year of Social Development and Quality of Life preparation plan, dedicated to events aimed at improving social partnership.
The proposals for the draft plan of the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life were discussed during the first meeting of the Working Group of the Advisory Council on Labour, Employment, and Social Protection of the Population of the CIS Member States. The meeting took place today at the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk via video conference.
-
Viktor Pinsky: "The meeting of the General Confederation of Trade Unions Council in Dushanbe is a landmark event for the entire trade union movement of the Commonwealth of Independent States"
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 1, 2026 – Viktor Pinsky, Chairman of the Commission of the Russian State Duma on Regulations and Organisation of State Duma Activities and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), called the meeting of the GCTU Council, held on July 1 in Dushanbe, a landmark event for the trade unions of the Commonwealth of Independent States.