Decent Work Country Programme
Round table on the implementation of international labour standards in Uzbekistan
A round table on progress in the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the International Labour Organization (ILO) was held again this year in Tashkent on 4 August 2016.
10 August 2016
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It was attended by approximately 68 participants representing the tripartite Uzbek constituents – senior officials and staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Federation of Trade Unions, Chamber of Commerce and Industry – as well as other Uzbek ministries and institutions, the ILO, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Organization of Employers, representatives of EU,UN, UNICEF, Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan in Geneva, OSCE and Embassies of the US, Swiss, France and UK in Uzbekistan.
The overall framework for Uzbekistan's cooperation with the ILO is the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The current DWCP was signed in 2014 and is ending in 2016. The round table affirmed the extension of the programme beyond 2016. The Regional Director of the ILO for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Heinz Koller attending the round table, stated that in the next phase, the DWCP "should be deepened to look into the priority issues arising out of the modernization of the Uzbek economy, to look into issues of employment policy, occupational safety and health, and labour inspection". Mr Koller also stated that "effective labour market policies need accurate information and tools for coping with challenges, in particular awareness raising, measures for occupational safety and health, and a further development of labour inspection. Feedback is equally important at each stage".
As a result of monitoring and awareness raising by the Uzbek tripartite constituents, with support by the ILO, child labour has become socially unacceptable. It is no longer an issue in the annual cotton harvest, as the ILO monitoring report noted last year. Further advances have taken place in ensuring that cotton picking is carried out voluntarily. The round table participants were informed about awareness raising and other measures to guarantee that Uzbek workers are not obliged to pick cotton against their will. Decent conditions are a significant factor for voluntary and productive work.
The overall framework for Uzbekistan's cooperation with the ILO is the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The current DWCP was signed in 2014 and is ending in 2016. The round table affirmed the extension of the programme beyond 2016. The Regional Director of the ILO for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Heinz Koller attending the round table, stated that in the next phase, the DWCP "should be deepened to look into the priority issues arising out of the modernization of the Uzbek economy, to look into issues of employment policy, occupational safety and health, and labour inspection". Mr Koller also stated that "effective labour market policies need accurate information and tools for coping with challenges, in particular awareness raising, measures for occupational safety and health, and a further development of labour inspection. Feedback is equally important at each stage".
As a result of monitoring and awareness raising by the Uzbek tripartite constituents, with support by the ILO, child labour has become socially unacceptable. It is no longer an issue in the annual cotton harvest, as the ILO monitoring report noted last year. Further advances have taken place in ensuring that cotton picking is carried out voluntarily. The round table participants were informed about awareness raising and other measures to guarantee that Uzbek workers are not obliged to pick cotton against their will. Decent conditions are a significant factor for voluntary and productive work.