On measures for further improvement and reinforcement of the social protection system of

the population in Uzbekistan

March 30, 2007

Since gaining independence the Republic of Uzbekistan has been practicing consistent and purposeful state policy on protection of the vulnerable layers of population, maternity and childhood, nation’s health and prosperity provision in course of transition. It is supported by the fact that the year 2007 has been announced the “Year of Social Protection”.

In correspondence with the National program the “Year of Social Protection” and for further strengthening the measures undertaken for social protection of the population and ensuring necessary material support for the less well-off families, betterment of the mechanism of encouragement and remuneration of labor of workers in the social services system as well as reinforcement of material and technical basis at the social security establishments, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 19, 2007 has signed the Decree “On measures for further improvement and reinforcement of the social protection system of the population”.

According to the document, executive bodies are entrusted to steadfastly observe the principles of fairness, objectivity and publicity, to provide the aid for those who in need indeed.

The decree envisages starting from September 1, 2007 the increase in the volume of budget funds allocated to pay material aid to disadvantaged families by 1,5 times with the simultaneous extension of the term of fixing its rate and payment up to 6 months. It also provides for the increase in wages of teachers, teacher assistants and sanitary nurses at the children’s boarding schools “Muruvvat” (“Charity”) by increasing rates by o­ne grade in line with the tariff scale with a simultaneous decrease in the normative workload from 15-18 to 5-6 children per a teacher. The amount of the fund for material encouragement of workers of the “Muruvvat” (“Charity”) and “Sahovat” (“Liberality”) orphanages and children’s boarding schools, as well as retirement houses and houses for disabled persons, specialized colleges for the disabled and health centers for war and labor veterans, rehabilitation centers for the handicapped, welfare services at home will rise up to 25 percent of the fund of the labor payment.

As of July 1, 2007 a 15-percent rise in the tariff scales of workers of health centers for war and labor veterans, free food for disabled students at specialized colleges will be introduced. It envisages monthly compensation for transport expenses for workers of welfare services at homes and teachers visiting the disabled at homes amounting to o­ne minimal wage in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and in the provinces as well as a 1,5-minimal wage in Tashkent.

The document states that in 2007, declared as the Year of Social Protection, the funds being allocated by economic entities and business structures to local government bodies for these purposes are fully exempted from income tax.

The decree encompasses a set of other provisions for national program the “Year of Social Protection” implementation endorsed by the resolution of January 23, 2007 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.