REPRESSION IN KAZAKHHSTAN

Esenbek Ukteshbayev, president of the independent trade union Zhanartu addressed delegates at the RMT annual general meeting in Torquay about the campaign to end repression in Kazakhstan. He outlined how the authorities regularly viciously attacked trade unionists and other forms of intimidation and repression such as making up criminal charges and a number of activists have been imprisoned. A lawyer defending trade unionists was sent to prison in December 2011. Disturbing footage of troops opening fire on striking workers can be seen on RMTv as part of an interview with Esenbek Ukteshbayev. He underlined that strikes taking place included demands not only for improved wages and conditions but for the re- nationalisation of state industries. “This is what the government is afraid of because they are aware of their criminal behaviour. “All the state industries and resources was taken off the people and taken by the clique running the country as their own property,” he said. He said that the regime was conducting a ‘genocide’ against its own people so Campaign Kazakhstan is an international campaign that has been set up to fight this injustice. “It really shakes the regime that this international pressure is growing particularly from respected organisations like RMT. “I have great respect for RMT as it is a genuine fighting trade union that seeks to defend its members,” he said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow presented Esenbek with a gift from the union and said that he was honoured to meet him. Kazakstan union leader addresses this year’s annual general meeting about the repression of workers in the former Soviet state RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2012 :: RMTnews 19 WHAT’S NEW ON RMTv CHANNEL 1 – RMT IN ACTION Action for Rail - Day of Action: On August 14, 2012 the joint union Action for Rail campaign organised a nationwide 'Day of Action' with events at railway stations up and down the country in the UK's largest ever demonstration against fare rises. RMT Cleaners Demonstration at Stratford Station: RMT cleaner members working for Initial and ISS demonstrated outside the Olympic Park at Stratford Station on August 9, 2012 as they kick off a 48 hour strike for pay justice and Olympics recognition. CHANNEL 2 – NEWS BULLETINS Shipping bulletin with Steve Todd. Kazakhstan - Workers' Rights Under Fire: Esenbek Ukteshbayev, President of the independent trade union Zhanartu talks to delegates at the RMT AGM 2012 about the campaign to end repression in Kazakhstan. Catch the latest video updates on RMT’s own on-line station at www.rmtv.org.uk GET THE LATEST FROM RMT AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RMTUNION WWW.TWITTER.COM/RMTUNION CHANNEL 4 – RMT EXTRA RMT at World Pride 2012: On Saturday July 7, 2012 London was the proud host of World Pride 2012 and as usual RMT was at the heart of the march to celebrate 40 years of pride in London. We're All In It Together Album Launch. A 33-track double CD available to RMT members by sending £12 cheque to Red Planet Records, c/o Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London N1 1JD There is an interview with Esenbek Ukteshbayev on RMTv go to www.rmtv.org.uk REPRESSION IN KAZAKHHSTAN