Uzbekistan sets up the way to support businesses helping families in need

At times when the world is addressing coronavirus pandemic, the leader of the Republic of Uzbekistan is taking decisive measures, aimed at minimizing consequences on country’s economy and social area.

Decrees of the President, developed and adopted within a short period of time, oversaw prevention of virus spread, ensuring stability of the budget, mitigation of the negative impact on economic sectors, social support of the population during COVID-19 outbreak.

Along with government, the fight however, requires engagement of civil society and business sector.

At the meeting, on April 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev suggested establishing “Kindness and Support” nationwide movement. Following that, on April 22, Uzbekistan registered “Kindness and Support” Fund.

The fund and its divisions are registered under “Mahalla” Charitable Public Fund and its territorial departments as non-legal entities.

Fund’s resources will be formed based on donations, sponsorship support and other sources that do not violate the law.

Available sources will be streamlined to support individuals in need of social protection, large families, lone senior and disabled people, temporary jobless individuals who lost their income for the time for quarantine to cover grocery, medicine and necessary goods. Large enterprises and its divisions are already providing great support. In turn, the government will provide them tax, leasing, credit preferences as well as access to necessary resources.

Earlier set up “Mercy and Health of Uzbekistan” Public Fund has been receiving monetary contributions from across the world.

“Dunyo” IA

Ensuring employment under focus

On April 22, 2020, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a videoconference on ensuring employment and prevention of income decline

Leaders of Uzbekistan and Turkey speak by the phone

On April 22, 2020, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan

President of Uzbekistan talks with the European Council President over the phone

On April 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with the European Council President Charles Michel

Consolidation of international cooperation to combat pandemic under discussion

On April 17, 2020, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting

Rates of road and other charges levied by national road carriers in the territory of foreign states

Uzbekistan Labor Minister Calls for End to Cotton Boycott to Ease COVID-19 Economic Pressure

Uzbekistan Labor Minister Calls for End to Cotton Boycott to Ease COVID-19 Economic Pressure

TASHKENT, April 16 – The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused significant damage to the world economy. According to preliminary estimates from the International Labor Organization (ILO), up to 25 million individuals will lose their jobs globally as a direct result of COVID-19—Uzbekistan is no exception.

The Government of Uzbekistan is taking action to support the economy, including by establishing a 10 trillion sum ($1.05 billion) COVID-19 support fund, but many Uzbeks will remain vulnerable to the downturn. The Ministry for Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan estimates that 1.5 million Uzbeks are currently unemployed. Moreover, 200,000 individuals are expected to fall below the poverty line as the country undergoes its lockdown. 

In light of these urgent challenges, Mr. Nozim Khusanov, the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan, has issued an open letter to the senior leadership of the Cotton Campaign, a coalition of human rights, labor, and business organizations, asking its members to lift a global boycott on Uzbek cotton first established in 2006 due to historic reliance on forced and child labor in the Uzbekistan’s cotton harvest. Over 300 global brands and retailers have signed a pledge not to source Uzbek cotton, hampering export growth and the development of the country’s textile industry.

Senior representatives of the Cotton Campaign visited Uzbekistan in late January as part of ongoing dialogue with Uzbek governmental and civil society stakeholders. As detailed by the ILO as part of its monitoring of the 2019 cotton harvest, “systematic forced labour did not occur during the 2019 cotton harvest” and “systematic or systemic child labour is no longer used during the cotton harvest in Uzbekistan.” On March 6 2020, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a historic decree to end state directives over the production, pricing, and sale of cotton—ending a quota system in place for nearly a century. 

While the lifting of the boycott is warranted given the demonstrable progress in protecting human rights and social welfare in Uzbekistan, Minister Khusanov has issued this “urgent” call given the “extraordinary pressure” facing the labor market in Uzbekistan. Lifting of the cotton boycott is one of the few measures that could quickly generate much-needed jobs and support the economic wellbeing of Uzbeks during the COVID-19 crisis. Textile production alone employs 200,000 workers in Uzbekistan; their wages support the livelihoods of 1 million people.

While calling for an end to the boycott, Minister Khusanov’s has invited the Cotton Campaign to “continue to work collaboratively” with the Uzbek government in order to enter a “new chapter of reform.” The minister seeks to draw on the expertise of Cotton Campaign member organizations “to consolidate the progress made in eliminating forced labor, to support ongoing monitoring efforts, and to assist in the introduction of sustainability and social responsibility commitments across the value chain.”

The open letter concludes by asking the leaders of the Cotton Campaign to “consider an end to the boycott as an act of solidarity towards the Uzbek people” enabling them to “secure their livelihoods in these difficult times and to look to the future with greater optimism.”

The Press Service of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan can be reached at this email: mediarelations.moelr@gmail.com