Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 1992)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the set of legislative and administrative regulations implementing the provisions of the Convention. The Committee also notes the information on the ILO Internet site about the new Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2021–2025 for Uzbekistan based on four priorities: (i) improving the regulatory framework governing labour relations; (ii) enhancing decent work and better employment opportunities for youth, women and vulnerable groups, generated by inclusive and equitable economic growth; (iii) extending the access of the most vulnerable groups to equitable, inclusive and quality education and social protection; and (iv) strengthening social dialogue and the institutional capacities of the social partners. The Government also refers to a procedure for the formation of a state order for job creation, established in accordance with the Employment Act. The annual state order for job creation is based on a forecast prepared by government bodies and other organizations regarding the number of jobs required for the implementation of projects included in the Investment programme, the comprehensive development programme for territories and sectorial modernization programmes. The Government further informs that as of 1 July 2023, the labour force accounted to 19.7 million people and the number of employed persons in various sectors of the economy reached 13.9 million. As of 1 January 2023, the unemployment rate was 8.9 per cent compared to 9.6 per cent as of 1 January 2022. The Committee, however, notes that the Government does not reply fully to its previous comments.

The Committee must examine these policies in light of its most recent comments on the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105). In its 2024 observation on that Convention, the Committee, while taking due note of the eradication of systemic forced labour, also noted observations from the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) alleging that ’de facto quotas’ (now called ’district forecasts’) remain in place. It further noted allegations that local authorities (hokimiyats) ’continue to pressure neighbourhood councils (mahallas) and farmers to meet these quotas’ and, in some cases, “ordered public employees ... from hokimiyats, schools, hospitals and other public institutions ... to pick cotton”. The Convention No. 105 Committee specifically requested the Government to “address the root causes leading to the coercion ... including the issues created by the cluster system and the pressure exercised by local authorities”. The Committee, therefore, referring to its 2024 observation on Convention No. 105, urges the Government to provide specific information on the measures taken to ensure that its national employment policy, including the “state order for job creation” and the “comprehensive development programme for territories”, promotes genuinely freely chosen employment. It specifically requests the Government to report on the alleged ’de facto quotas’ (or ’district forecasts’) and to ensure that hokimiyats and mahallas are not used to exert pressure or ’order’ any person, particularly public employees, to pick cotton or perform other labour against their will, in line with the request to address the root causes of coercion under Convention No. 105. The Committee also invites the Government to continue to provide updated labour market data, disaggregated by age, sex and region, on the level and trends of employment and unemployment.

Education and training. The Government informs that in accordance with the Employment Act, a system has been introduced for approving a state order for the vocational training of unemployed persons and jobseekers, based on the labour market demands and forecasts of demographic development, number of jobseekers and unemployed persons, number of people needing vocational training, number of graduates from schools and colleges and priority training areas needed to implement projects within development programmes. The Government also states that during the reporting period 32 “Ishga Marhamat” monocentres operate across the country, offering to the unemployed persons services like career counselling, vocational training in in-demand fields and entrepreneurship training. In addition, there are 53 vocational training centres and 601 small-scale training points in mahallas (community neighbourhoods). The Government stresses that vocational training institutions implement the principle of “lifelong learning” aiming to train all unemployed people starting from age 16, including retirees and unemployed persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information that from January to November 2023, employment services under the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction directed 122,100 unemployed persons to training and upskilling programmes in 75 professions in demand in the labour market of whom 79.3 per cent were women and 45.6 per cent were youth. During this period, approximately 76,100 unemployed persons completed training, and 64,700 individuals (52.9 per cent) found employment: 29,400 obtained permanent jobs, 34,900 were registered as self-employed and 363 started their entrepreneurial ventures.

The Committee notes these efforts in the context of the ILO’s diagnostics for Uzbekistan, which informed the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2021–2025. These analyses identify persistent skills mismatches and a large informal economy as major barriers to productivity and decent work, which the DWCP’s priorities are designed to address. The Committee requests the Government to provide a more detailed analysis of the impact of its training measures. It specifically requests an explanation of how the “state order for vocational training” is designed to be flexible and responsive to actual labour market demands, rather than a top-down quota system. Government is also requested toprovide a qualitative breakdown of the 64,700 employment outcomes, in particular the nature and sustainability of the 34,900 “self-employed” placements, and report on the measures taken to ensure these placements lead to decent work in the formal economy.

Specific categories of workers. The Government refers to a system of subsidies to employers who offer job opportunities to persons with disabilities. From January to December 2022 such subsidies were allocated to 793 businesses for hiring 1,710 persons with disabilities. The Government also informs about the National Programme for Promoting Employment of Persons with Disabilities for 2022 under which 15,297 persons with disabilities had been employed and from January to December 2023, 16,087 received employment assistance from labour authorities. The Government further informs that in 2022 the number of employed women reached 5.7 million and at the beginning of 2023 the unemployment rate of women was 13.4 per cent. In addition, the Government states that the share of women is high in some sectors like healthcare and social services (76.6 per cent) and education (75.6 per cent) but remains low in transportation (7.2 per cent) and construction (5.8 per cent). The Committee notes that the objectives of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026 include reducing the unemployment rate among women, providing vocational training for more than 700,000 unemployed women and girls at the state’s expense and implementing comprehensive measures to engage women in entrepreneurship and self-employment. The Committee notes these figures in light of the concluding observations of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) in 2022 (E/C.12/UZB/CO/3), which expressed concern about the gender pay gap and persistent occupational segregation, with women concentrated in low-paid sectors – as the Government’s own data confirms. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to promote productive employment for vulnerable workers:

• Concerning women, the Committee, referring to the 2022 concluding observations of the UN CESCR (E/C.12/UZB/CO/3), asks the Government to report on the concrete measures being taken, beyond numerical training targets, to tackle the structural causes of the high female unemployment rate (13.4 per cent) and the “persistent occupational segregation”.
• Concerning persons with disabilities, the Committee requests the Government to clarify the nature of the employment provided to the 15,297 persons under the National Programme (2022) and the 1,710 persons receiving employer subsidies. Government is also requested to specify what proportion of this employment is in the open labour market versus in sheltered employment. If sheltered employment is utilized, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to facilitate the transition of these workers to the open labour market.

Young persons. The Government informs that in 2023 the number of employed young persons reached 4.4 million, accounting for 32.3 per cent of all employed persons and in the beginning of 2023, the unemployment rate of youth was 14.4 per cent. The Government also refers to the Youth Employment Programme developed by the Neighborhood-Based Work Agency and the Youth Affairs Agency and implemented in all regions of the country. In addition, through cooperation with district (city) employment and poverty reduction offices, 342,1000 young people received assistance in finding employment or starting their own business under this Programme. The Committee however notes the concern expressed by the Committee on economic, social and cultural rights in its concluding observations about the high rate of young people, particularly women, who are not in employment, education or training after secondary education (E/C.12/UZB/CO/3). The Committee requests the Government to provide a more detailed analysis of the impact of the Youth Employment Programme, explaining how it is specifically targeting the high rate of young people (NEETs) identified by the CESCR and addressing the barriers to their integration, particularly for young women in rural areas.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that according to the Employment Act trade unions and their associations have the right to participate in the development of state programmes in the field of employment, propose measures to ensure employment, including creating new and preserving existing jobs, improving organizational activities, and preventing mass lay-offs. In addition, trade unions make proposals for the creation of new jobs and the establishment of a minimum number of jobs for individuals who are not competitive in the labour market. These proposals are generally considered when developing territorial employment programmes. The Government also informs that in cooperation with the ILO, a project titled “Supporting the Development of an Innovative Active Employment Policy for Post-Crisis Recovery in Uzbekistan” was implemented in the period May 2022–May 2023. This Project aimed at strengthening the capacity of tripartite partners and other stakeholders in the evaluation, development, and implementation of socio-economic programs and the recovery of the economy, contributing to employment growth.

The Committee must examine these claims in light of its most recent 2024 Observation on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1947 (No. 87), and recalls that genuine tripartite consultation on employment policy, as required by Article 3 of Convention No. 122, can only take place with the full participation of free and independent social partners. In light of its comments on Convention No. 87, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken to ensure a legal and practical environment where independent workers’ organizations can be established and participate freely in the consultations required by Article 3 of Convention No.122. It requests the Government to provide specific examples of how the social partners’ inputs have materially influenced the design and implementation of the “state order for job creation” and the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the formulation and implementation of an active national employment policy as well as on the results of employment policy measures implemented in the different regions of the country. The Government indicates in its report that an active employment policy in Uzbekistan is implemented out by formulating and rolling out employment programmes on the basis of the labour market situation and forecasts regarding its development. Regional labour market policies are implemented both in the framework of the general national employment programme and by formulating and implementing regional and local programmes for promoting employment, taking into account the particular features of demographic and socioeconomic development in the regions. Regular monitoring and a monthly review of progress have been introduced when carrying out the job creation and employment programmes. Active labour market measures have helped to balance the demand and supply of labour, as shown by an analysis of underlying trends and the indicators for evaluating them, an analysis introduced for the first time in 2014. The Government indicates that, during the reporting period, 748,700 jobs were created, of which more than half (451,600) were in rural districts, 344,700 were for young people entering the labour market and 279,600 were aimed at providing employment for women. The Government further indicates that, to prevent violations of the principle that workers are entitled to freely choose their employment, it has taken measures to ensure the free recruitment of cotton pickers by farms and to prevent child labour and forced labour during the cotton harvest. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information, including statistics, disaggregated by sex and age, on the formulation and implementation of an active national employment policy as well as on the results of employment policy measures implemented in the different regions of the country. Referring to its comments on the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105), the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken to ensure that its national employment policy promotes both productive and freely chosen employment and effectively prevents all forms of child labour and forced labour.

Education and training. The Government indicates that, during the reporting period, a Centre for Vocational Training has been established in Tashkent with funding from the Republic of Korea. The Centre accommodates up to 360 students and offers training courses for trades that are in demand on the labour market, including vehicle repair and maintenance, machine building, electronics and information technologies. In addition, vocational training was provided over the reporting period to 5,900 unemployed persons. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the specific measures taken to coordinate education and training policies and programmes with prospective employment opportunities.

Particular categories of workers. The Government indicates that it has taken a number of measures to promote employment for people actively seeking work, with a particular focus on securing employment for vulnerable categories of workers. In accordance with decisions of district and municipal administrations, over 67,500 people were placed in quota jobs over the reporting period, including 2,100 persons with disabilities, 11,100 single parents and those with large families, and other categories of persons experiencing difficulties on the labour market. Moreover, a set of targeted active labour market measures were carried out through the implementation of job creation and employment programmes, the provision of services for unemployed people, college graduates, persons with disabilities, people discharged from military service and people released from penal institutions. In addition, the development of various forms of homeworking has created employment for 176,000 people, predominately women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable categories of workers, as well as for those returning from working abroad. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken in order to promote productive employment for vulnerable workers, namely targeted measures to promote the employment of women, young persons, older workers, persons with disabilities and rural workers. It also requests the Government to provide further information on the use of quota jobs and the development of home work arrangements. In this respect, the Government may consider it useful to consult the Home Work Convention, 1996 (No. 177), and the Home Work Recommendation, 1996 (No. 184).

Young persons. The Government indicates that it has designed and implemented schemes to provide employment for college graduates in each city and district, including arrangements to provide work experience in industry leading to employment. In addition, a number of specialist job fairs have been held with the participation of potential employers, to provide employment for college graduates. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures aimed at promoting the employment of young persons and information, including statistics, regarding the impact of such measures, particularly for young persons in rural areas and those belonging to vulnerable categories of workers.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Government indicates that, pursuant to the Employment Act, basic employment policy principles require cooperation between state authorities and representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the development and implementation of employment measures, as well as in monitoring compliance with such measures. Consultations are held regularly between the Government and the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the formulation of an active employment policy. The Government indicates that, following a meeting between the Government and the social partners in 2015, the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan provided guidance to trade unions on how to promote the implementation of employment programmes. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the content and outcome of consultations held with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the formulation and implementation of the national employment policy. It further requests the Government to communicate information on prior consultations held with the representatives of those affected by the employment measures contemplated or implemented, including persons with disabilities and those residing in rural areas.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that economic reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan have facilitated stable economic growth and resulted in increased employment and income per family, which is an important means of reducing child labour. It further indicates that even during the global crisis there has been a considerable increase in employment due to the implementation of the 2009–12 Anti-Crisis Programme of Measures which included specific targeted measures for job recovery and employment creation. As a result of these measures, 970,900 new jobs were created in 2011 following the creation of a favourable business environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses, the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework to facilitate home-work arrangements, and the development of infrastructure and transport and communications networks. The Committee notes that the Uzbek economy recorded 8.3 per cent growth in GDP in 2011. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the 2011–13 General Agreement on socio-economic issues, a tripartite agreement listing the measures to be taken to create jobs and reduce unemployment. The Government reports that 141,600 jobs were created during the reporting period in 32 districts with particularly high levels of unemployment as a result of the development of small and micro-enterprises, the organization of home-work arrangements, farming activities and the recovery of inactive enterprises. The Government indicates that the active employment policy in Uzbekistan facilitates the drafting and implementation of employment programmes developed as a result of the current labour market situation and forecasts for its development. The policy on regional labour markets is being implemented in the context of a nationwide programme, as well as through the development and implementation of regional and local employment support programmes, taking into account regional particularities in demographics and socio-economic development. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy and the results of employment policy measures implemented in the different regions of the country. It also invites the Government to provide information on the tripartite review of the results of the 2011–13 General Agreement in terms of employment generation.

Vulnerable categories of workers. With respect to efforts to create employment for jobseekers, the Government indicates that from January to December 2011, 194 district employment support and social services centres placed 595,700 people in vacant posts or in jobs that had been newly created in the context of the anti-crisis programme. Of those 595,700, 265,100 were women and 437,000 lived in rural areas. Furthermore, in order to guarantee employment for high school graduates, a range of measures was developed and taken in each municipality and district to provide work experience for graduates and their subsequent employment in the enterprises involved. To that end, more than 127,000 enterprises and organizations were registered with a programme employing high school graduates. The Government also reports that 9,600 persons with disabilities were employed in specially allocated jobs in 2011, which was almost double the number employed in 2010. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken in order to promote productive employment for vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers, persons with disabilities and rural workers.

Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation of policies. The Government reports that trade unions monitor the creation of new jobs in accordance with the Job Creation Programme. In 2011, trade union representatives conducted random studies on 14,209 new jobs created in 1,663 enterprises. The placement of 290,249 graduates of technical colleges in employment in 85,452 enterprises was also monitored. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations with regard to the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the report provided by the Government in April 2012 which includes detailed information on the results of the employment measures taken to overcome the effects of the global financial and economic crisis. The Government indicates that economic reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan have facilitated stable economic growth and resulted in increased employment and income per family, which is an important means of reducing child labour. It further indicates that even during the global crisis there has been a considerable increase in employment due to the implementation of the 2009–12 Anti-Crisis Programme of Measures which included specific targeted measures for job recovery and employment creation. As a result of these measures, 970,900 new jobs were created in 2011 following the creation of a favourable business environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses, the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework to facilitate home-work arrangements, and the development of infrastructure and transport and communications networks. The Committee notes that the Uzbek economy recorded 8.3 per cent growth in GDP in 2011. As in its 2011 observation, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the 2011–13 General Agreement on socio-economic issues, a tripartite agreement listing the measures to be taken to create jobs and reduce unemployment. The Government reports that 141,600 jobs were created during the reporting period in 32 districts with particularly high levels of unemployment as a result of the development of small and micro-enterprises, the organization of home-work arrangements, farming activities and the recovery of inactive enterprises. The Government indicates that the active employment policy in Uzbekistan facilitates the drafting and implementation of employment programmes developed as a result of the current labour market situation and forecasts for its development. The policy on regional labour markets is being implemented in the context of a nationwide programme, as well as through the development and implementation of regional and local employment support programmes, taking into account regional particularities in demographics and socio-economic development. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy and the results of employment policy measures implemented in the different regions of the country. It also invites the Government to provide information on the tripartite review of the results of the 2011–13 General Agreement in terms of employment generation.

Vulnerable categories of workers. With respect to efforts to create employment for jobseekers, the Government indicates that from January to December 2011, 194 district employment support and social services centres placed 595,700 people in vacant posts or in jobs that had been newly created in the context of the anti-crisis programme. Of those 595,700, 265,100 were women and 437,000 lived in rural areas. Furthermore, in order to guarantee employment for high school graduates, a range of measures was developed and taken in each municipality and district to provide work experience for graduates and their subsequent employment in the enterprises involved. To that end, more than 127,000 enterprises and organizations were registered with a programme employing high school graduates. The Government also reports that 9,600 persons with disabilities were employed in specially allocated jobs in 2011, which was almost double the number employed in 2010. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the measures taken in order to promote productive employment for vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young persons, older workers, persons with disabilities and rural workers.

Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation of policies. The Government reports that trade unions monitor the creation of new jobs in accordance with the Job Creation Programme. In 2011, trade union representatives conducted random studies on 14,209 new jobs created in 1,663 enterprises. The placement of 290,249 graduates of technical colleges in employment in 85,452 enterprises was also monitored. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations with regard to the formulation and implementation of an active employment policy.

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active labour market measures taken in response to the global crisis. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2010 and the additional information provided by the Government and the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan (FTUU) in May 2011. The Government indicates that it benefited from sustainable economic growth, with an 8.1 per cent GDP growth in 2009. The Asian Development Bank forecasted GDP growth of 8.5 per cent in 2010 and 9.0 per cent in 2011. The Committee notes with interest that prior to the elaboration of the ILO Global Jobs Pact, the Government adopted in 2008 an Anti-Crisis Programme of Measures for 2009–12 aimed at recovering from the crisis and providing an increase of the number of available jobs. The Government indicates that 600,000 jobs were created in 2008, and 940,000 jobs in 2009 due to the implementation of the anti crisis programme. In 2010, in accordance with set targets, 950,000 jobs were created through the adoption of measures which included the support of exporting enterprises, the modernization of vital branches of the economy, the implementation of investment projects, the development of micro- and small enterprises, and the promotion of home-work arrangements in cooperation with the manufacturing sector. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the employment measures taken to overcome the negative effects of the crisis.

Implementation of an active employment policy. The Government reports that the country’s employment policy is proactive as it aims at ensuring full, productive and freely chosen employment. It also indicates the provisions of the Employment Act dealing with employment policy. Furthermore, the Government indicates in its report that in order to implement the employment policy, the local state administration bodies are vested with certain powers which include the development and implementation of the measures promoting the stabilization of the situation of the labour market through, inter alia, the identification of the regions in need of priority development. In this regard, state policy on regional labour markets is implemented both in the framework of national programmes and regional and local employment promotion programmes, taking into account the specific demographic features and the social and economic development of the regions. The FTUU indicates that a General Agreement on socio-economic issues for 2011–13 between the Cabinet of Ministers, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Council of the FTUU provides, inter alia, for the following: ensuring that systemic measures are taken into account when drafting and implementing annual job creation and employment programmes, where special attention should be given to the creation of permanent jobs with stable remuneration and safe working conditions, especially in rural areas; ensuring further implementation of job creation measures by developing effective forms of employment, including small business development and entrepreneurship, construction of housing and social infrastructure, and extensive use of home work arrangements; ensuring the reduction in unemployment and the improvement of vocational training and retraining for the unemployed; ensuring a steady growth in employment, especially in rural areas; and supervising employers’ compliance with the requirements laid down in the labour legislation. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the effects of the 2011–13 General Agreement and the outcomes of specific employment policy measures and programmes adopted to address the employment situation in the most affected regions.

Vulnerable categories of workers. The Committee notes the information supplied by the FTUU indicating that trade unions submit proposals on job creation measures and on the allocation of a fixed number of jobs for vulnerable categories of workers. The FTUU further states that these proposals are normally taken into account in designing regional employment programmes. It also indicates that one of the objectives of the General Agreement on socio economic issues for 2011–13 is to provide all possible support to ensure the employment of graduates of higher education and specialized secondary schools, persons returning from military service and socially vulnerable population groups. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report detailed information on the impact of employment measures addressing the needs of vulnerable categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation of policies. The Government indicates that the direct participation of the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations is ensured in the elaboration and implementation process of the employment policy. The FTUU also indicates that an agreement to cooperate in the field of employment policy has been reached between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Council of the FTUU. As part of the implementation of the said agreement, the trade unions have set up a public monitoring system relating to job creation measures. In the first quarter of 2011, trade unions carried out verifications in 118 enterprises in order to evaluate the number of new jobs created. The FTUU also indicates that regional and sectoral agreements focus on matters relating to the design and implementation of programmes to promote employment, create jobs, prevent mass unemployment and provide social protection to persons who have lost their jobs. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, including details of their contributions to the implementation of an active employment policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received in March 2008, including the information provided in response to the Committee’s 2005 direct request, which was reiterated in 2006 and 2007.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Coordination of employment policy and poverty reduction. The Committee notes that a State Employment Promotion Fund to assist employment was established to finance measures to implement its employment policy. It further notes that in order to prevent the risk of job losses, and to promote stable paid employment for citizens, the Government’s activities are being complemented by programmes aimed at job creation. The Committee also notes from the Welfare Improvement Strategy of Uzbekistan (2008–10), set out in the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, that the rate of unemployment continued to fall from 3.7 per cent in 2004 to 3.0 per cent in 2006. In this connection, the Committee notes that Uzbekistan is also experiencing a rapid increase in the working-age population, whereby the proportion of the population which was of working-age increased from 54.5 per cent in 2004 to 56.1 per cent in 2006. The Committee further notes that the demand for labour will be shaped by state policy aimed at: (i) encouraging the placement of new, especially labour intensive industries, predominantly in the regions and settlements with high levels of unemployment and poverty; (ii) the creation and modernization of infrastructure contributing to economic development and to the creation of new industries and workplaces in regions with high levels of unemployment and poverty; (iii) the comprehensive development of rural territories; (iv) supporting small businesses; (v) creating and widening diverse forms of individual employment in regions with low levels of employment and a high poverty rate; and (vi) the expansion of human resources training for newly reintroduced modern industries financed by initiators of investment projects. The Committee further notes that policies affecting labour supply in the market will be aimed at: (i) revision and substantial strengthening of the practical orientation of all education programmes; (ii) more active implementation of employee professional development (training) programmes to retain them in the labour market during the restructuring of the economy; (iii) more active use of in-service staff training programmes; (iv) the gradual reduction of labour taxes; (v) the improvement of the registration and statistics of the employed population; and (vi) the substantial widening of legal and socially protected labour migration. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the outcomes of specific employment creation policies that are part of its poverty reduction strategy. The Government is also requested to indicate the manner in which employment objectives are taken into account in the adoption of measures in monetary, budgetary and taxation policy, and price, income and wage policy. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the specific measures adopted to address the employment situation in regions and settlements with high levels of unemployment and poverty.

2. Labour market measures. The Government reports that a procedure was adopted for the development and implementation of an employment programme aimed at achieving a balance between supply of, and demand for, labour by organizing placements, vocational training and retraining of those not in work, redundant workers, and the unemployed. The Government reports that this employment programme provides for: (i) a brief assessment of the situation in the labour market; (ii) the establishment of new jobs in enterprises of all forms of ownership and industry, including small enterprises and private development; (iii) the development of new forms of employment based on denationalization and privatization of ownership; (iv) training and retraining of managers; (v) regulating the process of dismissal of workers; (vi) designation of regions or population centres as priorities in tackling the employment problem; (vii) the rational use of rural labour resources to establish enterprises to process agricultural production, the development of small farms and entrepreneurship; and (viii) the development of private secondary industry and self-employment and other forms of industry. The Government reports that measures taken to regulate the labour market situation have helped to increase levels of placement of persons who applied to the country’s employment service. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that over a period of nine months in 2007, of the 407,033 citizens registered with local employment agencies, 351,079 were placed in jobs. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the number of individuals benefiting from its employment services and participating in vocational training, paying particular attention to the rates of successful job placement. The Government is further asked to include information on measures taken to match education and training policies to the actual demands of the labour market.

3. Particular categories of workers. The Government states in its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper that the reduction of the informal sector and the return of the labour force to the formal market will be a priority of the medium-term policy. The Government provides that an indicator of success at this stage would be for the employment rate in the informal sector to decrease from its current level of 56 per cent to 30 per cent. The Committee notes that the employment rate of women was lower than among men; however, their share in the structure of formal employment remained stable at 44 per cent in 2001–05. The Government further states in its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper that there is an imbalance in the sectoral distribution of female labour, in that women dominate in the healthcare and education sectors, while men dominate in the construction, transportation and telecommunications sectors. The Government states that in all sectors women have less qualified jobs in comparison with men. The Committee ask the Government to include in its next report detailed information on the impact of such measures taken to meet the needs of particular categories of workers, such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

4. Article 3. Participation of social partners in the formulation of policies. The Government reports that, by article 20 of its Employment Act, Coordinating Committees for Employment Promotion, comprising representatives of trade unions and other workers’ representative bodies, employers’ organizations, state authorities and other organizations concerned that represent the interests of citizens in need of social protection are to be established to elaborate joint decisions at the national and local levels on the determination and implementation of employment policy. The Employment Act also prescribes for the participation of trade unions and other workers’ representative bodies in employment promotion, and for the participation of employers in the implementation of state employment policy. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the consultations held on the matters covered by the Convention with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations, including details of their contribution to the implementation of an active employment policy. It similarly welcomes being kept apprised of the manner in which the Coordinating Committees for Employment Promotion effect consultations and closer cooperation with the social partners, and the results of such consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. It notes that the strategic goal of the labour relations reform is to increase employment on the basis of a more effective distribution and use of labour resources within the economy, to provide protection for workers’ rights while taking employers’ interests into account and to increase salaries in real terms and as a proportion of the national income. It further notes that the positive shifts in the economy that have taken place over the last few years have helped to reduce the unemployment rate. In 2003, 430,000 new jobs were created, of which 375,000 were in small businesses and the private sector. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact on employment of the structural reforms and the extent to which employment has been created in the private sector, especially in small and medium-scale enterprises (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment of vulnerable categories of workers (women, migrant workers, self-employed workers), of the reforms undertaken in agriculture and of the measures taken under the Public Employment Programmes.

2. The Committee also takes note of the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of May 2005. The share of the Uzbekistan population below the poverty line was estimated by the World Bank at 28 per cent. The growth of the working-age population and the enterprise restructuring has led to significant excess in labour supply. Moreover, there are structural imbalances in the labour market, which are reflected in the substantial amount of unofficial employment, generating irregular incomes for workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report information on decision-making procedures and on employment policy measures, and on how they are reviewed regularly within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a)).

3. Article 3. The Government indicates that the activities to facilitate employment and provide social protection involve local government bodies, employers, trade unions and other workers’ representative bodies. It further indicates that the National Tripartite Commission discusses issues concerning management of social, labour and related economic relations, assistance in upholding workers’ guaranteed labour rights and social security at the national, sectoral and regional level. In its comment on the report submitted by the Government, the Council of the Trade Unions Federation of Uzbekistan (CTUFU) underlines that, under article 19 of the Employment Act, trade unions are entitled to take part in the development and implementation of national legislative acts and local government decisions on State employment policy. The proposals that CTUFU submits to local governmental bodies and employers on joint consultations are generally taken into account in regional agreements. The Committee requests that the Government provide more details on the functioning of the National Tripartite Commission in relation with the matters covered by the Convention.

4. Collection and analysis of statistics. The Committee notes that, according to data from the PRSP (May 2005), the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan is around 4 per cent. The report indicates that 429,600 jobs were created in 2003 (87.3 per cent were created in small and medium enterprises, 69.9 per cent in rural areas). The Committee notes that the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for the formulation of an employment policy within the meaning of the Convention. It hopes that in its next report the Government will further describe measures taken in this respect. Please also provide more detailed statistics on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, by age, sex, level of education and sector of activity.

5. Education and training. The Committee notes the different programmes and measures that are being implemented in order to ensure quality education and to improve State management of employment placement, vocational training and retraining redundant workers and the unemployed. It asks the Government to provide in its next report, information on the impact on employment of these programmes and measures.

6. Employment service. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is responsible for the realization of the State employment policy. The CTUFU indicates that on 24 January 2001 was issued Joint Resolution No. 4-2-16/2, which sets out their agreement on coordination of employment-related activities. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment services in providing assistance to job search, training/retraining or public work programmes for unemployed workers. It also requests information on the implementation of the agreement on coordination of employment-related activities made by the Ministry and the CTUFU.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. It notes that the strategic goal of the labour relations reform is to increase employment on the basis of a more effective distribution and use of labour resources within the economy, to provide protection for workers’ rights while taking employers’ interests into account and to increase salaries in real terms and as a proportion of the national income. It further notes that the positive shifts in the economy that have taken place over the last few years have helped to reduce the unemployment rate. In 2003, 430,000 new jobs were created, of which 375,000 were in small businesses and the private sector. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact on employment of the structural reforms and the extent to which employment has been created in the private sector, especially in small and medium-scale enterprises (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment of vulnerable categories of workers (women, migrant workers, self-employed workers), of the reforms undertaken in agriculture and of the measures taken under the Public Employment Programmes.

2. The Committee also takes note of the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of May 2005. The share of the Uzbekistan population below the poverty line was estimated by the World Bank at 28 per cent. The growth of the working-age population and the enterprise restructuring has led to significant excess in labour supply. Moreover, there are structural imbalances in the labour market, which are reflected in the substantial amount of unofficial employment, generating irregular incomes for workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report information on decision-making procedures and on employment policy measures, and on how they are reviewed regularly within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a)).

3. Article 3. The Government indicates that the activities to facilitate employment and provide social protection involve local government bodies, employers, trade unions and other workers’ representative bodies. It further indicates that the National Tripartite Commission discusses issues concerning management of social, labour and related economic relations, assistance in upholding workers’ guaranteed labour rights and social security at the national, sectoral and regional level. In its comment on the report submitted by the Government, the Council of the Trade Unions Federation of Uzbekistan (CTUFU) underlines that, under article 19 of the Employment Act, trade unions are entitled to take part in the development and implementation of national legislative acts and local government decisions on State employment policy. The proposals that CTUFU submits to local governmental bodies and employers on joint consultations are generally taken into account in regional agreements. The Committee requests that the Government provide more details on the functioning of the National Tripartite Commission in relation with the matters covered by the Convention.

4. Collection and analysis of statistics. The Committee notes that, according to data from the PRSP (May 2005), the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan is around 4 per cent. The report indicates that 429,600 jobs were created in 2003 (87.3 per cent were created in small and medium enterprises, 69.9 per cent in rural areas). The Committee notes that the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for the formulation of an employment policy within the meaning of the Convention. It hopes that in its next report the Government will further describe measures taken in this respect. Please also provide more detailed statistics on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, by age, sex, level of education and sector of activity.

5. Education and training. The Committee notes the different programmes and measures that are being implemented in order to ensure quality education and to improve State management of employment placement, vocational training and retraining redundant workers and the unemployed. It asks the Government to provide in its next report, information on the impact on employment of these programmes and measures.

6. Employment service. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is responsible for the realization of the State employment policy. The CTUFU indicates that on 24 January 2001 was issued Joint Resolution No. 4-2-16/2, which sets out their agreement on coordination of employment-related activities. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment services in providing assistance to job search, training/retraining or public work programmes for unemployed workers. It also requests information on the implementation of the agreement on coordination of employment-related activities made by the Ministry and the CTUFU.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. It notes that the strategic goal of the labour relations reform is to increase employment on the basis of a more effective distribution and use of labour resources within the economy, to provide protection for workers’ rights while taking employers’ interests into account and to increase salaries in real terms and as a proportion of the national income. It further notes that the positive shifts in the economy that have taken place over the last few years have helped to reduce the unemployment rate. In 2003, 430,000 new jobs were created, of which 375,000 were in small businesses and the private sector. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact on employment of the structural reforms and the extent to which employment has been created in the private sector, especially in small and medium-scale enterprises (Article 1 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the impact of the measures taken to promote employment of vulnerable categories of workers (women, migrant workers, self-employed workers), of the reforms undertaken in agriculture and of the measures taken under the Public Employment Programmes.

2. The Committee also takes note of the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of May 2005. The share of the Uzbekistan population below the poverty line was estimated by the World Bank at 28 per cent. The growth of the working-age population and the enterprise restructuring has led to significant excess in labour supply. Moreover, there are structural imbalances in the labour market, which are reflected in the substantial amount of unofficial employment, generating irregular incomes for workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report information on decision-making procedures and on employment policy measures, and on how they are reviewed regularly within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy (Article 1, paragraph 3, and Article 2(a)).

3. Article 3. The Government indicates that the activities to facilitate employment and provide social protection involve local government bodies, employers, trade unions and other workers’ representative bodies. It further indicates that the National Tripartite Commission discusses issues concerning management of social, labour and related economic relations, assistance in upholding workers’ guaranteed labour rights and social security at the national, sectoral and regional level. In its comment on the report submitted by the Government, the Council of the Trade Unions Federation of Uzbekistan (CTUFU) underlines that, under article 19 of the Employment Act, trade unions are entitled to take part in the development and implementation of national legislative acts and local government decisions on State employment policy. The proposals that CTUFU submits to local governmental bodies and employers on joint consultations are generally taken into account in regional agreements. The Committee requests that the Government provide more details on the functioning of the National Tripartite Commission in relation with the matters covered by the Convention.

4. Collection and analysis of statistics. The Committee notes that, according to data from the PRSP (May 2005), the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan is around 4 per cent. The report indicates that 429,600 jobs were created in 2003 (87.3 per cent were created in small and medium enterprises, 69.9 per cent in rural areas). The Committee notes that the collection of data and analysis of the labour market should be the basis for the formulation of an employment policy within the meaning of the Convention. It hopes that in its next report the Government will further describe measures taken in this respect. Please also provide more detailed statistics on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, by age, sex, level of education and sector of activity.

5. Education and training. The Committee notes the different programmes and measures that are being implemented in order to ensure quality education and to improve State management of employment placement, vocational training and retraining redundant workers and the unemployed. It asks the Government to provide in its next report, information on the impact on employment of these programmes and measures.

6. Employment service. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is responsible for the realization of the State employment policy. The CTUFU indicates that on 24 January 2001 was issued Joint Resolution No. 4-2-16/2, which sets out their agreement on coordination of employment-related activities. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the impact of the employment services in providing assistance to job search, training/retraining or public work programmes for unemployed workers. It also requests information on the implementation of the agreement on coordination of employment-related activities made by the Ministry and the CTUFU.