The Senate of Uzbekistan discussed the issue of combating human trafficking

Senate of Uzbekistan discusses combating human trafficking

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) – The Senate of the Oliy Majlis held a regular meeting of the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Decent Work on August 13.

The meeting was chaired by Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the National Commission.

The work carried out by the National Commission, its sub-commissions and territorial commissions in the first half of this year, the results achieved, and existing problems were discussed in detail.

It was noted that during the reporting period, a number of works were carried out to ensure decent work, protect labor rights, prevent human trafficking, and introduce international labor standards into national practice.

In particular, reforms were continued to bring national legislation in the field into line with international standards. A law was adopted to strengthen guarantees of citizens' labor rights in accordance with the requirements of International Labor Organization Conventions No. 87 and 98. Draft laws were also developed to improve the Labor Code, prevent discrimination and sexual harassment, reduce informal employment, promote labor protection, and develop dual education.

Particular attention was paid to identifying victims of human trafficking, providing them with comprehensive social services, and improving the system for their integration into society.

Systematic measures were taken to ensure compliance with labor legislation, prevent forced and child labor, create decent working conditions for employees, protect farmers' rights, and widely introduce market mechanisms in agriculture.

Systematic measures were taken to protect farmers' rights in agriculture, improve land relations, and regulate settlements between cotton-textile clusters and farmers. As a result of the work carried out, debt collection in favor of farms was ensured.

Work on the introduction of international labor and technical standards in production sectors was also activated. Today, 286 enterprises have introduced international standards such as ISO, Oeko-Tex, Sedex, Better Work, BSCI, GOTS, BCI.

As part of international cooperation, the Uzbek delegation participated in the 114th session of the International Labor Organization, which was held in Geneva on June 8-11 of this year. It presented reforms aimed at ensuring decent labor principles in our country, eliminating forced labor, and improving labor relations based on international standards.

Some shortcomings in the field were also critically discussed, and reports were heard from the heads of the responsible ministries and departments, as well as the territorial commissions of Tashkent, Fergana, and Samarkand regions.

At the end of the meeting, a plan of additional measures aimed at the widespread implementation of international standards in the labor sector and ensuring decent work principles, as well as the draft "roadmap" of Uzbekistan for 2026-2029 within the framework of the International Labor Organization's "Alliance 8.7" initiative, were reviewed and put into action.

Relevant instructions were given to the responsible ministries and departments to ensure the implementation of the assigned tasks, organize work in the sector more systematically, and eliminate existing problems.