Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 1992)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 2019)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. 1. Freedom of the State employees to leave their service. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that public servants are covered by the provisions of the Labour Code and may terminate employment at their own request in accordance with section 99 of the Labour Code, like any other categories of workers. Noting also the Government’s indication that the issue of the elaboration of the draft Law on the State employees is under discussion, the Committee would appreciate it if the Government would keep the ILO informed of the developments in this field and provide a copy of the new Law, as soon as it is adopted.

2. Mobilization and use of labour for purposes of economic development in agriculture (cotton production). The Committee refers to its comments addressed to the Government under the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105).

Article 2(2)(a). Use of compulsory military service for purely military ends. The Committee previously noted the Government’s statement in the report that there had been no instances in Uzbekistan of using conscripts for non-military ends, though no guarantees are provided for to that effect in the national legislation. Noting that the Government’s latest report contains no information on this issue, the Committee reiterates its hope that, on the occasion of a future revision of the legislation concerning compulsory military service, measures will be taken to provide clearly in the text of the law that services exacted for military purposes are used for purely military ends.

Article 2(2)(c). Prison labour. The Committee previously noted that, under section 88 of the Code on the Execution of Penal Sanctions, the use of prison labour for the benefit of private persons is not allowed, and that prisoners are assigned to work, as a rule, at production units of the penitentiary institutions. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in the report that, since convicts are not allowed to work for the benefit of private persons, no contracts can be concluded between penitentiary institutions and private employers.

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25. Trafficking in persons. Penal sanctions for the illegal exaction of forced or compulsory labour. The Committee previously noted the provisions of sections 135 and 138 of the Criminal Code punishing with various penal sanctions “the recruitment of persons for sexual or other exploitation and the forcible illegal deprivation of a person’s freedom.” The Committee notes the adoption of the Act on the Measures to Combat Trafficking in persons, 2008, as well as the Presidential Decree of 8 July 2008 on measures to strengthen the fight against human trafficking, which has approved the National Anti-Trafficking Plan. It also notes the Government’s brief indications in the report concerning anti-trafficking prevention measures taken by the Ministry of Interior jointly with other competent bodies. The Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report, information on the application in practice of the 2008 Act and the National Anti-Trafficking Plan, indicating the measures taken to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons and supplying the relevant statistical data. The Committee also requests the Government once again to provide information on the application in practice of sections 135 and 138 of the Criminal Code referred to above, supplying sample copies of the relevant court decisions and indicating the penalties imposed on perpetrators. Please also supply information on the application in practice of section 51 of the Code of Administrative Offences punishing the “administrative compulsion to perform labour in any form”, supplying copies of the relevant judicial decisions.