- Page 2
- Page 1 of 13
Striking Oil, Striking Workers
Violations of Labor Rights in Kazakhstan’s Oil Sector
Summary
Ersai Caspian Contractor LLC
KarazhanbasMunai JSC
OzenMunaiGas
Recommendations
To the Government of Kazakhstan
On the right to freedom of
association
Enforcement of rights-respecting
business conduct
Cooperation with international
mechanisms
Effective inspections and
investigations
On the misuse of overbroad criminal
laws
To Kazakhstan’s International
Partners, Including European Union Member States and the United States
Government
To the International Labour
Organisation
To National Companies and Foreign
Companies Investing in Enterprises In Kazakhstan
Methodology
I. Background
Oil and Gas: Backbone of
Kazakhstan’s Economy
Oil Companies in Kazakhstan
Corporate Responsibility
Kazakhstan’s Labor Movement
II. Freedom of Association under
International and Kazakh Law..
International Labor Standards
Prohibition on Employers’
Interference with Freedom of Association
Kazakhstan Labor Law
Protection and Redress
Restrictions on Freedom of
Association and Collective Bargaining
Freedom of Association
Collective Bargaining
Restrictions on the Right to Strike
Consequences for Participating in an
Illegal Strike
III. Violations of Freedom of
Association and other Rights in Kazakhstan’s Oil Sector
Interference with Union Activity and
Strike at KarazhanbasMunai Oil Company
Failed Efforts at Mediation
Violent Attack on Union Members
Interference in the Election of a New
Union Leader
Escalation of Tensions and the
Initiation of the Strike
Strike and Its Aftermath
Violations of the Right to a Fair
Hearing in Cases against Oil Workers
May 24 Attempt to Access Union Office
June 5 Protest March
Case of Natalia Sokolova
Threats against and Harassment of
Karazhanbas Union Members
Wage Dispute and Strike at
OzenMunaiGas Oil Company
Wage Dispute between Workers and
OzenMunaiGas Management
Strike and Immediate Repercussions
Riot Police Violently Disperse
Peaceful Strikers
Case of Akzhanat Aminov
Threats, Harassment, and Violence against
Oil Workers and Their Families
Interference in Union Activity and
Strike at Ersai Caspian Contractor
Ersai Caspian Contractor Restricts
Karakiya Union Chairman’s Access to Workers
Karakiya Union Sues Ersai Caspian
Contractor for Unlawful Interference
Ersai Caspian Contractor Restricts
Union Activities, Refuses to Negotiations
Threats and Harassment of Karakiya
Union Members
Another Attempt to Enter into
Mediation with Ersai Caspian Contractor Management
Workers Go on Strike
Strike Committee Members Arrested,
Karakiya Union Suspended
Other Attempts to Disrupt the
Peaceful Strike
Mass Dismissals at OzenMunaiGas,
Ersai Caspian Contractor, and KarazhanbasMunai and Its Affiliate Companies
Ersai Caspian Contractor and
OzenMunaiGas Claims regarding Mass Dismissals
Violations of Freedom of Assembly of
those Supporting the Oil Workers
Detention of Opposition Activists in
Zhanaozen
Detention and Beating of Bakyt B.
Detention of Activist Galym Ageleuov
Detention of Opposition Party
Activists in Aktau
IV. Strike Aftermath: Violent Clashes
and Politically-Motivated Arrests
December 16 Zhanaozen Violence
Crackdown on Outspoken Oil Workers
and Political Opposition Activists
V. The Role of Ersai Caspian
Contractor, KarazhanbasMunai and OzenMunaiGas
Public Commitments and Responsibility
to Protect Human Rights
VI. The Role of Kazakhstan’s
International Partners
Statements by International Partners
on Labor Rights Violations
Failure to Turn a New Leaf:
Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship
Enhanced Partners: European
Union-Kazakhstan Relationship
Germany
United Kingdom
Close and Longstanding US-Kazakhstan
Ties
Kazakhstan’s Other
International Partners
Acknowledgements
Appendix
- Page 2
- Page 1 of 13
