Concerns Regarding Systemic Labour Rights Violations in Turkmenistan

Dear Representatives of the International Labour Organization, The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement DAYANCH Turkmenistan respectfully addresses the International Labour Organization to express serious concern regarding the ongoing and systemic violations of labour rights in Turkmenistan. Despite official statements by the authorities about expanding cooperation with the International Labour Organization, the real situation faced by workers in Turkmenistan remains deeply troubling and inconsistent with international labour standards. Our organization continues to receive numerous reports indicating the persistence of forced labour practices, particularly within state institutions and the public sector. Employees are frequently compelled to participate in activities unrelated to their professional duties, including public campaigns, construction work, mass events, and other state-organized activities. Another widespread issue concerns forced financial collections from employees of state institutions. Workers are often required to contribute money to events and activities that have no connection to their employment. These practices include mandatory contributions for so-called charity events (“sadaka”), official ceremonies, and the compulsory purchase of publications, including books written by the former president known as “Arkadag.” Such practices impose additional financial pressure on employees who already receive extremely low wages. At the same time, wages in Turkmenistan remain significantly below the real cost of living, while prices for food and essential goods continue to increase. This situation is particularly severe in rural areas and small towns, where employment opportunities are extremely limited and decent working conditions are largely absent. Furthermore, Turkmenistan lacks independent trade unions capable of genuinely representing and protecting workers’ rights. The existing trade union structures operate under state control and do not function as independent defenders of labour rights. These systemic problems contribute to widespread corruption and compel hundreds of thousands of citizens to seek employment abroad. Mass labour migration has become a survival strategy for many families, yet labour migrants are not officially recognized as a significant economic factor, despite their remittances playing an important role in supporting households. In light of these concerns, the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement DAYANCH Turkmenistan respectfully calls upon the International Labour Organization to: closely monitor the real situation of labour rights in Turkmenistan; address the persistence of forced labour practices; encourage the establishment and protection of independent trade unions; advocate for fair and adequate wages in line with international labour standards; draw attention to the practice of forced financial collections from state employees; support efforts aimed at improving labour conditions, particularly in rural regions and small towns. We believe that genuine improvements in labour rights require not only formal declarations but also concrete actions that ensure the protection of workers and respect for international labour standards. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement DAYANCH Turkmenistan remains committed to cooperating with international organizations in order to promote human rights, labour rights, and social justice for the citizens of Turkmenistan. We thank you for your attention to this important matter. Respectfully, Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement DAYANCH Turkmenistan