International Day of Older Persons: GCTU drafts recommendations for enabling longer working lives
October 1 marks the International Day of Older Persons. For trade unions, this date highlights, among other things, the need to improve working conditions for older employees and create opportunities for active, extended working lives.
The share of older age groups in the workforce is growing across the CIS. This calls for additional social policy measures that will help people remain economically active for longer, put their accumulated professional experience to use, and avoid age discrimination.
With this in mind, the GCTU has drawn up recommendations titled “Key Directions of Social Policy Regarding Older-Generation Workers in the CIS Member States” for the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the CIS (IPA CIS). The recommendations have been approved by the GCTU Council and have received positive feedback and proposals from the parliaments of the Commonwealth countries.
The recommendations set out measures that will allow older workers to stay in their professions longer, apply their experience on the job, and pass it on to younger colleagues.
The document is due to be presented on October 15 at a meeting of the IPA CIS Standing Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights. If endorsed, the recommendations will be submitted for approval at the plenary meeting of the IPA CIS Council in November 2026.
GCTU News
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin Presents the Order of Honour to Viktor Pinsky
Viktor Pinsky, a member of the Russian State Duma and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), has been awarded the Order of Honour. The award was presented by Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
"My sincere congratulations! I am glad that your work has been duly recognised by the country's leadership," Vladimir Putin said as he presented the award to Viktor Pinsky.
The ceremony took place today in the St George's Hall of the Kremlin in Moscow.
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Kyrgyzstan marks Social Protection and Trade Union Workers' Day
On 19 October, Kyrgyzstan marks Social Protection and Trade Union Workers' Day.
The holiday has national status - a rare practice for professional dates dedicated to the trade union movement.
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Viktor Pinsky: Employers to be required to respond to trade unions within a month, facing disqualification for missing deadline
On 15 October, the State Duma unanimously adopted in its first reading a bill that would oblige employers to respond to trade union requests within one month at the latest. The bill received 418 votes. Among its authors is Viktor Pinsky, General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) and a State Duma deputy.