The preparation of a national OSH profile in 2004 allowed for the identification of the main gaps and problems in OSH. The profile contained an in-depth analysis of the situation, and outlined the main steps to be undertaken to improve the situation.
What's more, Kazakhstan has ratified the key ILO Conventions: Convention No. 81 on Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce, Convention No.129 on Labour Inspection in Agriculture, Convention No. 148 on the Working Environment and Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health.
Finally, in 2005, the government approved a national programme of occupational safety and health for 2005 through 2007. The programme provides for the development of national OSH standards, introduction of a national OSH management system, legal support for the country's OSH policy, coordination of activities and functions of organizations dealing OSH and monitoring and training.
“The government of Kazakhstan fully understands the role of occupational safety and health in achieving a productive and sustainable economy”, says Gulzhana Karagussova, Kazakhstan's Minister of Labour and Social Protection, adding that “enterprises with proper OSH management system perform better because safe work is good business. Similarly, OSH management systems need to be created [with] the ILO's long-standing experience and expertise [in mind].”
The ILO provided assistance inpreparing the national OSH profile and in drafting Kazakhstan's new law on occupational safety and health.
The country was also the first in the region to request the ILO to conduct an international audit of its labour inspection system; in October 2005, the results of the audit were presented to all countries of the region to be used as a model for the future.
International Labour Organization
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