On April 28, 2025, the International Exhibition-Forum “Safe Labor: New Challenges and Digital Solutions” officially opened at the Kazmedia Center in Astana.
The event is timed to coincide with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is celebrated annually on April 28 across the globe under the initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The forum is organized by the National Confederation of Employers of the Republic of Kazakhstan “PARYZ”, with the support of the International Labour Organization and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In his welcoming speech, the Chairman of the Presidium of PARYZ, Zhumabek Zhanykulov, highlighted the relevance of the forum's agenda:
“Ensuring safe working conditions is a direct responsibility of employers. Barriers in the workplace must be eliminated, and favorable conditions must be created for employees to fully realize their potential. During this forum, we will work together to identify practical solutions to these and other pressing workplace safety issues.”
The forum brings together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, trade unions, the expert community, and businesses.
The discussions are centered on the implementation of digital tools as part of the Occupational Safety Concept 2024–2030 and the Industrial Safety Concept 2024–2030.
Through strategic sessions, specialized industry seminars, and roundtables, the forum will explore current challenges and present best practices and innovative approaches in occupational and industrial safety, particularly in the areas of digitalization and innovation.
Another major topic will be improving the competitiveness of domestic producers and service providers in the occupational safety and health sector.
A key event of the forum will be the meeting of the Republican Tripartite Commission on Social Partnership and Regulation of Social and Labor Relations, featuring Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Svetlana Zhakupova, as well as representatives from central government agencies, national trade union federations, and employer associations.
Together with social partners, the Commission will discuss measures to ensure safe working conditions, initiatives under the Year of Vocational Professions aimed at addressing labor shortages, and outcomes of ongoing efforts to conclude sectoral agreements on social partnership.
For the first time, at the initiative of the Union of Kazakhstani Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Manufacturers, a special exhibition of domestic producers and service providers in the fields of occupational, industrial, and sanitary safety is being held as part of the forum. Fifteen Kazakhstani companies are showcasing their contributions to building a national culture of safety — including local PPE and workwear manufacturers, medical institutions, consulting firms, and developers of digital solutions.
The PARYZ Confederation of Employers is recognized by the International Labour Organization as a strategic social partner representing Kazakhstan’s employers internationally and promoting ILO labor standards at the national level.
Employer commitment to social responsibility and workplace safety is the core idea of this forum, which is set to become an annual event, gradually expanding its scope and engagement across the business community.
The organizing committee includes representatives of the Union of PPE Manufacturers, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”, Kazakhstan Transport Union “Kazlogistics”, and the Kazakhstan Association for Occupational and Industrial Safety.
The forum is supported by sponsors including Kostanay Minerals, KAZ Minerals, Kazzinc, and Heidelberg Materials Group.
Reminder: The International Exhibition-Forum “Safe Labor: New Challenges and Digital Solutions” will be held April 28–29.