Uzbekistan and ILO to Draft New Decent Work Country Programme for 2017-2019
The Government of Uzbekistan and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have launched preparations for a new Decent Work Country Programme (DCWP), said a representative of the Republic's Federation of Trade Unions to RIA Novosti.
He added that, "A working group has been set up to draft a new DWCP for 2017-2019, scheduled to be signed in the first quarter of next year."
According to the representative, the new programme will tighten oversight of cotton harvesting, build public awareness of available feedback mechanisms and confidence in using them, and enhance employer responsibility for compliance with the ILO conventions.
In April 2014, the Government and social partners of Uzbekistan and the ILO signed the DWCP for 2014-2016. Through the programme, the ILO will support the implementation of the National Action Plan to eliminate child labour. The programme will also address the conditions of work and employment in agriculture, including in the cotton-growing industry, in order to promote their development in line with international labour standards and Decent Work principles.
In April 2008, Uzbekistan ratified the Geneva Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor. The national legislation allows high school and college students aged 16 and older to work, voluntarily and outside school hours, in cotton harvesting near their place of residence to assist parents or relatives.
In November 2015, monitoring with participation of ILO experts focused on child labor in the cotton industry found no systemic involvement of minors in cotton harvesting in Uzbekistan. However, one of the recommendations from the monitoring was to pursue further efforts to eliminate any risks of adults' forced labour in cotton harvesting.
Source: RIA
According to the representative, the new programme will tighten oversight of cotton harvesting, build public awareness of available feedback mechanisms and confidence in using them, and enhance employer responsibility for compliance with the ILO conventions.
In April 2014, the Government and social partners of Uzbekistan and the ILO signed the DWCP for 2014-2016. Through the programme, the ILO will support the implementation of the National Action Plan to eliminate child labour. The programme will also address the conditions of work and employment in agriculture, including in the cotton-growing industry, in order to promote their development in line with international labour standards and Decent Work principles.
In April 2008, Uzbekistan ratified the Geneva Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor. The national legislation allows high school and college students aged 16 and older to work, voluntarily and outside school hours, in cotton harvesting near their place of residence to assist parents or relatives.
In November 2015, monitoring with participation of ILO experts focused on child labor in the cotton industry found no systemic involvement of minors in cotton harvesting in Uzbekistan. However, one of the recommendations from the monitoring was to pursue further efforts to eliminate any risks of adults' forced labour in cotton harvesting.
Source: RIA