At an official ceremony in Tashkent on February 28, Uzbekistan and the International Labour Organisation signed a memorandum of understanding, extending the Decent Work Country Programme for 2017-2020.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tanzila Narbaeva, Labour Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov, Trade Union Federation Chairman Kudratilla Rafikov, Commerce and Industry Chamber Chairman Alisher Shaykhov, and other public officials.

International representatives included ILO’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Heinz Koller, ILO’s Director of European and Central Asian Bureau for Workers Activities Sergeyus Glovackas, Director of ILO’s CEE/CIS Bureau Olga Kulaeva, and Uzbekistan’s UN Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner, among other diplomats.

Mr Abdukhakimov thanked international representatives and said national laws have been amended under the 2014-2016 Decent Work Programme. He said Uzbekistan raised public awareness about decent work and introduced a feedback system, to report any workplace violations.

“Thanks to social partners and the International Labour Organisation’s technical support, Uzbekistan has made considerable progress in implementing international labour standards, phased out child labour, and taken great steps to prevent forced labour in cotton harvesting. The country demonstrates a responsible and thought-out approach to international labour obligations, continuing constructive social dialogue between the government, employers, and trade unions,” said Mr Koller.

Now extended, the Decent Work Country Programme attests to Uzbekistan’s commitment to its international obligations and will strengthen partnership with the ILO and other international