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 in Tashkent on 5 – 6 August 2015.
It was attended by approximately 70 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 Trade Union Confederation, International Organization of Employers, UN, UNICEF, EU and Embassies of the US, Germany, Switzerland, France, Korea and Russia in Uzbekistan.
The round table was informed about the advancement of the Decent Work Country Programme, which was signed between the government, trade unions and employers of Uzbekistan in April 2014. It discussed the preparations of the monitoring of the forthcoming cotton harvest on child and forced labour. Monitoring will be carried out by the ILO and national monitors in areas where there are projects with the World Bank financing. The ILO presented to the round table its findings of potential risks of forced labour in recruitment practices with special focus on the cotton sector. This will serve to guide monitoring activities as well as further study on forced labour.
The representatives of the government, trade unions and employers highlighted measures that are being undertaken to further promote voluntary recruitment and to prevent the mobilization of education and medical personnel for the cotton harvest. Awareness raising and monitoring activities will continue to ensure that children under 18 years of age are not involved in picking cotton. The ILO has been discussing such measures with its partners in Uzbekistan and is providing appropriate information and support.
It was agreed that the next round table to examine the outcome of the cotton harvest monitoring this year will be organized in November.
The round table was informed about the advancement of the Decent Work Country Programme, which was signed between the government, trade unions and employers of Uzbekistan in April 2014. It discussed the preparations of the monitoring of the forthcoming cotton harvest on child and forced labour. Monitoring will be carried out by the ILO and national monitors in areas where there are projects with the World Bank financing. The ILO presented to the round table its findings of potential risks of forced labour in recruitment practices with special focus on the cotton sector. This will serve to guide monitoring activities as well as further study on forced labour.
The representatives of the government, trade unions and employers highlighted measures that are being undertaken to further promote voluntary recruitment and to prevent the mobilization of education and medical personnel for the cotton harvest. Awareness raising and monitoring activities will continue to ensure that children under 18 years of age are not involved in picking cotton. The ILO has been discussing such measures with its partners in Uzbekistan and is providing appropriate information and support.
It was agreed that the next round table to examine the outcome of the cotton harvest monitoring this year will be organized in November.