Uzbekistan, Latvia Plan New Driver Training System

Uzbekistan and Latvia are collaborating on the development of a novel driver training program aimed at preparing Uzbek citizens for employment with Latvian transport firms. This initiative was a key topic of discussion during a recent meeting involving Bekhzod Musayev, director of Uzbekistan's Migration Agency; Girts Jaunzems, Latvia's Ambassador to Uzbekistan; and representatives from the transport and logistics company Kreiss, according to a statement from the Migration Agency.

Latvia has put forth a proposal to conduct driver training within Uzbekistan, involving Latvian experts, and to administer examinations in Uzbekistan for the issuance of Latvian driving licenses. To facilitate this project, the Migration Agency has been requested to assist in setting up a training facility, specialized classrooms, and other essential infrastructure.

This new system is anticipated to enable candidates to commence work immediately upon their arrival in Latvia, bypassing the current requirement for mandatory training courses that typically span over a month. Furthermore, it is expected to mitigate additional expenses and shorten the adaptation period for new employees.

Kreiss, a company that currently employs over 1,000 Uzbek citizens, underscored the importance of employees adhering to the stipulations of their employment contracts. Company representatives noted instances where workers, after receiving employer-funded training, subsequently transfer to other companies, which adversely impacts the structured labor migration system.

Subsequent to the meeting, Kreiss committed to providing the technical specifications for the proposed training and examination center. In parallel, the Migration Agency will explore the establishment of the training facility and requisite infrastructure within the Tashkent Region.

Both parties also reached an agreement to commence drafting an intergovernmental accord between Uzbekistan and Latvia concerning organized labor migration.