System of independent trade-unions could help country leadership solve labor disputes, like the one taking place now in Astana.  Oilmen came to Astana from Zhanaozen to voice their demands.  They are actually about to leave back, but still, their arrival was an alerting sign. 

Economy to Oligarchs!

For 30 years, our rulers were deliberately terminating trade-unions in all sectors, giving the economy away at the mercy of oligarchs, national companies, quasi-state structures and all those, positioned close to the ruling regime. 

In the result of that, our working people, including oilmen, lost a reliable instrument that would protect their rights and help them overcome problems. 

In countries with strong trade-unions, many problems find solution during negotiations, when officials and businessmen are supposed to listen to clearly formulated demands.  And only if negotiations fail, trade-unions bring people out in the streets, and nobody will have the right to prevent them from doing so, if their public actions pose no threat to lives of others.

The Only Way

That is why, authorities should not be surprised to see people in the streets voicing their demands, as sometimes that is their only option left.  So it was in Zhanaozen in 2011.  And so it will be in future.  Our rulers have long ago sown the wind, so to harvest the whirlwind. 

Our rulers did not allow appearance and development of many independent public institutions – trade unions, Mass Media and political parties.  Our rulers were silly enough to think, that such regime of deprivation gave them control, when it was nothing, but self-deceitю  Sooner or later, the social steam, without proper outlet, shall ruin the boiler.