Uzbekistan adopts Action Plan on cooperation with International Labour Organization

October 12, 2011

With a view to fulfilling the obligations assumed under the International Labour Organization (ILO) on March 25, 2011, Uzbekistan established an Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) for preparing and presenting information on fulfilling the ILO conventions ratified by Uzbekistan.

The IAWG includes the representatives of Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Trade and Industry Chamber, Federation of Unions of Uzbekistan, as well as the Farmer’s Association, National Center for Human Rights, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of higher and secondary special education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Healthcare, Women’s Committee, “Kamolot” Public Youth Movement.

On September 7, 2011, the IAWG approved an Action plan on cooperation with the ILO for the period of 2011-2012. The plan includes 34 events, which aim to enhance the effectiveness of measures on fulfilling Uzbekistan’s commitments under the ILO, raise the public awareness on Uzbekistan’s commitments and strengthen public control.
The action plan also envisions:

- holding of a round table with participation of the member of Uzbek parliament on “ILO conventions and recommendations, issues of their implementation into legal system of Uzbekistan”;

- enhancing the activities of state authorities and the institutes of civil society with NGOs and international organizations with a view to strict fulfillment and effective implementation of the ILO conventions ratified by Uzbekistan;

- introducing in the programs of general, secondary-specialized and higher education a course on studying the laws on struggling against the worst forms of child labour;

- elaboration of joint comprehensive Action plan of Trade and Industry Chamber, Farmer’s association on the issues of participation of employers in fulfilling the ILO conventions on child labour;

- elaboration of systemic measures on ensuring a public control by the union organizations over meeting the requirements of the ILO conventions;

- raising the awareness of farmers with respect to complying with legislation in employing persons below 18 years of age.
- regular interaction with diplomatic corps in Tashkent and the accredited offices of international organizations for wide media coverage of Uzbekistan’s fulfillment of the ratified ILO conventions.

On September 16, 2011 a meeting with the chief of UNICEF office in Uzbekistan J.M.Delmot took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. At the meeting Mr. Delmot was apprised that the Uzbek side stands ready to assist the UNICEF office in overseeing the process of engaging the children in cotton harvesting works in any region of Uzbekistan upon UNICEF’s choice.
Uzbekistan does not have legislative, economic or social conditions and prerequisites for using child labour and its forms related to the “worst forms of child labour”

Since the first days of independence Uzbekistan started building a legal framework which would meet the modern requirements and universally recognized international principles. Adoption of the Constitution with enshrining in it the entire gamut of human rights and freedoms was the first step in this direction. Convention on child rights was one of the international acts which Uzbekistan joined (December 9, 1992) right after the adoption of its Constitution.

In 2008 parliament of Uzbekistan ratified two most important ILO conventions namely: No. 138 “Minimum Age for Admission to Employment” and No. 182 “Prohibition and Immediate Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.”

Convention No. 138 states that the minimum age for admission to employment is the age of graduation fro, secondary school but not less than 15 years of age.

According to the laws of Uzbekistan the minimum age for employment is 16 years of age. With a view to preparing the youth for a full time employment those who reached 15 years of age can be employed upon written consent of one of their parents.

The state in Uzbekistan has been enormously contributing to the observance of child and youth rights. Being among the top 4 producers of cotton in the world, Uzbekistan is the only country who joined the basic conventions of ILO in the sphere of child rights protection.

Public expenses to social sphere grew 5 times during the years of independence of Uzbekistan. Annually nearly 60 percent of state budget goes to developing healthcare, education, improvement of utilities, social protection and other spheres.

Presently the system of education meets all international standards. Annually 10-12 percent of GDP goes to the sphere of education while globally it does not exceed 3-5 percent. Uzbekistan has implemented a unique National Program for Cadre Training, since 2009 the 12 year mandatory education system was put in place in the country. More than 1,600 modern professional colleges and lyceums have been established.

Yet another notable fact is that for over the 20 years of independence child and maternal mortality in the country fell 3 times which is a vivid evidence of a great attention paid to children, their healthcare and observance of their right to a qualified medical service. UNICEF in its turn recognized Uzbekistan as a regional model in child and maternity protection.

Measures taken by Uzbekistan have been praised by international bodies such as the UN, as well as independent structures. Recently published report of “Save the children” international organization says that Uzbekistan secured 9th place among 161 countries in the sphere of child healthcare.
 

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