The European Union and its Member States expressed serious concern over alleged interference in trade union affairs in Kyrgyzstan, including reprisals against union leaders and restrictions on peaceful assembly, during the International Labour Conference in Geneva on 5 June 2026. In a statement delivered at the Committee on Application of Standards, the EU urged the Kyrgyz government to ensure full compliance with the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87).
The statement, issued by the EEAS on behalf of the EU and its Member States, also aligned with candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and the Republic of Moldova, as well as Norway. The EU highlighted allegations from the ILO Committee of Experts regarding interference in trade union affairs, including defamation campaigns against independent unions and support for so-called "yellow unions." The EU noted with concern the government's acknowledgment of an illegally established city trade union in Bishkek and echoed the Committee's call to clarify its status.
Specific concerns included the reported arbitrary detention of trade unionists in November and December 2023, criminal proceedings that paralysed the leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan, and pressure on union leaders to resign. The EU also flagged measures affecting trade union property, such as the temporary transfer of health resort facilities to the Presidential Administration, and restrictions on peaceful assembly in Bishkek since March 2022.
The EU called on the Kyrgyz government to provide comprehensive replies to the allegations, ensure no administrative or judicial measures undermine trade union independence, and guarantee the right to peaceful assembly. It encouraged continued engagement with the ILO and use of technical assistance to achieve full compliance with Convention No. 87.
The statement builds on the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in June 2024, which deepened EU-Kyrgyzstan ties in trade, investment, and social affairs. Kyrgyzstan is also a beneficiary of the EU's GSP+ trade scheme, which requires effective implementation of 27 international conventions, including ILO Convention No. 87. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kyrgyzstan's sustainable development through the Global Gateway strategy and the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
The statement puts pressure on the Kyrgyz government to reform labour laws and practices, potentially affecting trade union autonomy and government oversight. For Kyrgyz trade unions, the EU's stance may provide leverage to resist interference. For EU businesses and investors, the concerns could signal reputational risks tied to labour rights in Kyrgyzstan. The ILO's supervisory role is reinforced, while the EU's credibility as a defender of labour standards is upheld.