Uzbekistan Urges Adjusted Work Hours Amid Extreme Heat
Uzbekistan’s State Labor Inspectorate has issued recommendations to adjust outdoor work schedules to protect employees during an ongoing extreme heatwave.
Uzbekistan Calls for Adjusted Work Hours Due to Extreme Heat
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The State Labor Inspectorate, part of the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan, has advised employers to modify work arrangements for outdoor employees in light of the unusually high temperatures.
The agency highlighted that elevated air temperatures considerably heighten the risks of heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and cardiovascular issues. The inspectorate stressed that it is the employer's duty to ensure safe working conditions.
Employers are encouraged to minimize outdoor work activities whenever feasible or to halt them temporarily between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. During this timeframe, it is also suggested to refrain from engaging in strenuous physical tasks.
Furthermore, employers should ensure that workers have access to adequate drinking water, set up shaded or cool resting areas, and allow for regular breaks.
The inspectorate also advises against permitting employees who have not undergone a medical examination to work. For those working outdoors, it is essential to provide breathable clothing and headgear that offers protection from sunlight.
Special emphasis is recommended on conducting briefings to help recognize the symptoms of heatstroke and the appropriate first aid procedures in case of health deterioration.
Previously, Uzhydromet issued a warning that an extremely hot air mass from the south would affect Uzbekistan from July 13, 2026, to July 17, 2026. Forecasts predict daytime temperatures could soar to between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius, with northern, southern, and desert regions experiencing temperatures as high as 44 to 46 degrees Celsius.
In response to the extreme heat, temporary restrictions have already been implemented in several areas. In the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions, cargo transport movement is limited, while in Khorezm, Navoi, and Karakalpakstan, the operation of certain kindergartens has been temporarily halted. Starting July 15, 2026, the speed of trains on elevated sections of the Tashkent metro has been reduced from 60 to 40 km/h.