Turkmenistan has formally enshrined international cooperation as a top priority in its newly adopted Labor Market Development Concept through 2030 — the country’s first comprehensive strategy explicitly designed to align national employment and social protection policies with global standards, reports Turkmenportal.com.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is deepening collaboration with the UN Country Office, particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO). Several joint initiatives are already underway, focused on improving working conditions, labor rights, and social safeguards for workers.
Since joining the ILO in 1993, Turkmenistan has ratified 11 core conventions, with their principles embedded in the Constitution, Labor Code, Employment Law, and other key legislation. The government is now actively reviewing additional ILO instruments for potential accession.
ILO’s strategic priorities in Turkmenistan include:
- Upholding fundamental labor rights;
- Creating decent jobs for women and men;
- Building inclusive social protection systems;
- Strengthening tripartite dialogue among government, employers, and workers.
Looking ahead, Turkmenistan plans to broaden partnerships beyond the ILO — engaging international organizations and national institutions worldwide to exchange expertise, attract technical assistance, and adopt global best practices.
This strategic pivot signals a decisive shift from isolation to engagement in labor governance — a critical step toward economic modernization and improved living standards aligned with international norms.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Sept. 17, 2025