Right to strike to be guaranteed for the first time in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, the right to strike is being guaranteed, while procedures for notifying employers and labor authorities, along with other rights and obligations, are being established. On April 7, the Senate approved the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Introducing Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with Strengthening Guarantees of Citizens’ Labor Rights” at its regular plenary session.

According to the report, the law under discussion was developed to bring national legislation into line with the conventions of the International Labour Organization. In accordance with Article 98 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, it was submitted to the Legislative Chamber by the Senate under the procedure of legislative initiative.

The law provides for amendments and additions to the Criminal Code, the Code on Administrative Responsibility, the Civil Procedure Code, the Labor Code, as well as the laws “On Public Associations in the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On Trade Unions.”

A strike is defined as a temporary, voluntary, and collective full or partial refusal by employees to perform their labor duties as a means of resolving a collective labor dispute with an employer in order to protect their labor, socio-economic, and professional interests.

The right to strike is also being guaranteed, and procedures are being established for notifying employers and labor authorities.

In addition:

• leadership of a strike will be carried out by an authorized representative of a trade union committee, and that representative’s rights and obligations in the process are being defined;
• the grounds and procedures for postponing the start of a declared strike, suspending a strike, and declaring a strike illegal are being established;
• the scope of restrictions related to strikes is being clarified, including a ban on strikes during a national crisis, a state of emergency, or emergency situations, as well as identifying organizations where strikes may not be held and categories of employees whose participation in strikes is restricted;
• the introduction of minimum necessary work or services is being provided for when strikes take place in organizations that are not vital to the life, health, or personal safety of citizens, but still play an important role in ensuring the daily life of the population.

It was noted that senators emphasized that the implementation of this law would help align national legislation with international standards, regulate the strike process on a legal basis while ensuring public safety and social order, strengthen Uzbekistan’s image as a state that respects human rights, enhance its standing within international organizations, and also open broader opportunities for attracting foreign investment.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the senators approved the law.