Turkmenistan intends to significantly expand and deepen its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO). During a Cabinet of Ministers meeting, DPM, Foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on plans to develop cooperation aimed at ensuring decent working conditions and protecting the rights of all participants in labor relations.
The interaction between the Government of Turkmenistan and the ILO is based on a joint Roadmap for 2024–2025. Given the positive results of current efforts, Meredov proposed extending the Roadmap until the end of 2026. The implementation of planned activities will actively involve not only relevant government bodies but also the country’s public organizations.
The updated cooperation plan covers several strategic areas:
- Prevention of Forced Labor: A top priority is strengthening the political and legal framework to eliminate forced labor practices, including the prevention of child labor.
- Legislative Reforms: The plan provides for the further improvement of the national labor legal framework to ensure compliance with international standards.
- Human Rights protection: Special attention is given to implementing legally significant measures, carried out by state bodies in coordination with trade unions, to effectively protect citizens’ labor rights.
To increase the efficiency of these reforms, the introduction of new monitoring and analysis tools is planned, specifically the creation of a database to collect and analyze indicators regarding labor rights compliance.
Furthermore, a regular high-level dialogue will be maintained. The proposal includes systematic meetings between ILO experts and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, and other sectoral departments. These consultations will focus on discussing both political and practical steps for protecting workers’ rights.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the proposals, emphasizing that developing partnerships with international structures such as the UN and the ILO remains a critical vector of the country’s foreign policy. ///nCa, 26 January 2026