On adoption by Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the laws “On ratification of Convention on minimal age of hiring for job” (Geneva, June 26, 1973) and “On ratification of Convention on banning and immediate measures on eliminating the worst forms of child labor” (Geneva, June 17, 1999)

April 08, 2008

Adoption by national parliament of the laws “On ratification of Convention on minimal age of hiring for job” (Geneva, June 26, 1973) and “On ratification of Convention on banning and immediate measures on eliminating the worst forms of child labor” (Geneva, June 17, 1999) at its session on March 13, 2008 testifies to the fact that Uzbekistan is aiming to have a close international cooperation in this sphere. Uzbekistan actively participates in implementation of many documents on protection of human and child rights, and in particular, five of the eight fundamental conventions of the World Labor Organization (WLO).

The adoption of those documents is particularly important in terms of announcement of 2008 as the Year of Youth in Uzbekistan. In this context, the country where the youth at the age of up to 18 years old makes up almost half of entire population has set the most important and priority objectives: these are the protection of rights and interests of young generation, gaining by them the contemporary knowledge and professions, training the new generation cadres able to occupy a worthy place in society.

With an aim to implement this social objective the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On guarantees of child rights” was adopted. The basis of the Law on the child rights makes up the concept of a comprehensive preservation and protection of child rights and interests which leans on the moral principles and proceeds from the interests of the Uzbek society and state. Article 7 of the Law stipulates: “each child shall enjoy rights and freedoms of human and citizen guaranteed by state in line with Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this Law and others acts of legislation”.

And the ratification of the said conventions will allow increase Uzbekistan’s international authority which provides for application of international and legal norms on protection of rights of children and teenagers. Meanwhile, according to experts, on several parameters the national legislation surpasses the international norms in its sphere. Thus, if the WLO Convention “On minimal age of hiring for job” establishes the threshold of 12 years of age as a general minimal age of hiring for job, then, in accordance with legislation currently in force in Uzbekistan, the age requirement was taken up to 15 years of age. Besides, the time of labor of child must not exceed 4 hours per week instead of 14 hours envisioned by the WLO convention. This testifies to very humane approach in Uzbekistan towards elaboration of national legislation in this sphere, comprehending the moral principles and mentality of the Uzbek people, fully and unconditionally observing the rights and interests of young generation.