The Government of Uzbekistan, the Federation of Trade Unions (FTUU) and the Confederation of Employers (CEU), together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), held a tripartite workshop on 23 October 2025 to define priorities and expected outcomes for the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) in Uzbekistan for 2026-2030. The workshop, held in Tashkent with online participation, marked a critical step in shaping the country's labour and social policy over the next five years.
© Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Strategic importance
The new DWCP 2026-2030 comes at a particularly important moment for Uzbekistan's development agenda and is strategically significant for three reasons:
- It succeeds the current DWCP (2021-2025), ensuring continuity in tripartite engagement on key priorities.
- Its development coincides with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026-2030, offering a unique opportunity to align national labour priorities with broader UN development goals.
- The programme follows closely after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's historic dialogue with trade union activists and veterans, which reinforced the importance of social dialogue and tripartite cooperation in shaping national labour policies.
At the centre of this programme is the person, their work, opportunities and social protection.
Botir Zakhidov, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Opening the discussion, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction Botir Zakhidov highlighted Uzbekistan's achievements in eliminating child and forced labour and strengthening social dialogue, emphasising that the new programme will build on these results to promote a fair and sustainable development model: "At the centre of this programme is the person, their work, opportunities and social protection."
UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl noted the strategic alignment with the forthcoming UNSDCF, stating: "Both frameworks share the same ambition - to promote inclusive economic growth, social justice and decent employment for all." She underlined that the DWCP will support national efforts to achieve these objectives.
© Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Director of the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Mikhail Pouchkin emphasized that the new programme must respond to emerging challenges in the world of work, noting that "the new DWCP must be a modern, flexible instrument reflecting national realities and international commitments."
Shaping priorities with social partners
The social partners reviewed progress under the 2021-2025 DWCP, including ratification of ILO conventions, strengthened labour inspection and capacity-building for workers and employers.
Bakhtiyor Makhmadaliev, Vice-chairman of the FTUU, highlighted lessons from the previous programme: "The previous DWCP cycle was very successful: we harmonised national labour legislation with international labour standards and adopted a new Labour Code." He also stressed the importance of addressing emerging challenges, such as AI and digital labour platforms, to ensure protection for workers in new sectors.
We have come a long way, and today it is important to preserve as well as develop key areas that have proven effective.
Otabek Ashurov, Chairman of the Confederation of Employers of Uzbekistan
Otabek Ashurov, Chairman of the Confederation of Employers of Uzbekistan, underscored the importance of collaboration and continuity: "The new programme will define strategic guidelines for the labour market, social policy and sustainable development. Over the years of implementing the current programme, we have come a long way, and today it is important to preserve as well as develop key areas that have proven effective."
Participants of tripartite groups outlined the four priorities of the new DWCP that would cover such areas as: international labour standards, occupational safety and health, social protection, gender equality, employment, sustainable enterprises and social dialogue.
Next steps
Participants agreed that the discussions and group work would provide the foundation for the new DWCP, ensuring decent work for all in Uzbekistan and integrating social justice principles into labour policies. The workshop outcomes will guide implementation over the next five years, aligning national labour priorities with the UNSDCF and reinforcing Uzbekistan's commitment to social justice, inclusive growth and worker protection.
