Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 2008)

Articles 3(a) and (b), 7(1) and 7(2)(a)(b) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, penalties and direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and providing for their rehabilitation and social integration. Trafficking of children and commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee notes the Government’s information on the adoption of Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 60 of 8 February 2021 approving, at the national level, a System for the Referral of Victims of Trafficking in Persons or Alleged Victims of Trafficking in Persons. Its objective is to identify victims of trafficking, provide them with the necessary assistance and protection and prevent them from being re-trafficked. The Government further states that the sexual exploitation of children is not widespread in the country, nevertheless it adds that: (1) in 2022, investigations were initiated on five criminal cases against four persons (one case against an unidentified person) for the commercial sexual exploitation of nine minors through pimping; (2) in 2023, investigations were initiated on seven criminal cases against nine persons for the commercial sexual exploitation of eight minors through pimping; and (3) all cases were “classified” as trafficking under section 135(3) of the Criminal Code. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of investigations conducted, but also on the prosecutions launched and convictions and penalties imposed relating to child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children under 18 years. It further requests the Government to provide information on the number of children removed from these worst forms of child labour and the types of rehabilitation and social integration assistance which was provided to them under the new System for the Referral of Victims of Trafficking in Persons or Alleged Victims of Trafficking in Persons.

Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labour is implementing a programme of five measures (“Roadmaps”) in order to enhance the effectiveness of state bodies in combating trafficking in persons and forced labour, while also improving Uzbekistan’s position in international rankings. These are: (1) the Action Plan (“Roadmap”) to put into practice the suggestions made following the work carried out in 2021 in combating trafficking in persons and forced labour; (2) the Action Plan to put into practice the Recommendations of the United States (US) Department of State’s Annual Report on Combating Trafficking in Persons; (3)) the Roadmap on the introduction of technical standards and production requirements based on the requirements of international brands in Uzbekistan’s textile and knitwear industry; and (4) the Action Plan (“Roadmap”) on the implementation of Recommendations to improve Uzbekistan’s ranking in the US Ministry of Labour’s annual report on the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee also notes the adoption of the ILO Decent Work Country Programme for the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021–25 and its Roadmap. In this regard, the Government indicates that: (1) on 27 May 2022, an international round table was held to discuss the Decent Work Country Programme Roadmap for the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021–25, organized by the National Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labour in cooperation with the ILO; and (2) the Roadmap plans more than 50 events aimed at improving decent working conditions, focusing on issues such as aligning labour legislation with international standards, reducing informal employment and enhancing social protection. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any national programmes of action adopted or envisaged for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, in particular for combating trafficking of children. It also requests the Government to provide information on: (i) the implementation measures adopted under these programmes of action, including within the framework of the Decent Work Country Programme in Uzbekistan 2021–2025; and (ii) the results achieved in terms of the number of children withdrawn from the worst forms of child labour and on actions taken for their rehabilitation and social integration.

Article 8. International cooperation. Elimination of poverty. The Committee notes that the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), in its observations, expresses concern regarding the substantial number of children from disadvantaged families who are compelled to skip school to work. Recalling that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on any poverty reduction or other social protection programmes and the impact of such measures on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.