The Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 21 September of this year, “On Measures to Ensure a Safe and Respectful Working Environment in the Labour Sector”, will serve as an important framework for advancing efforts to establish safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces across the country.

The resolution aims to protect employees’ dignity, honour and labour rights, foster safe and discrimination-free working environments based on mutual respect, prevent harassment and violence, and introduce modern mechanisms for effectively handling complaints related to such incidents.

The primary objective of the resolution is to prevent sexual and physical violence, sexual harassment, psychological pressure, stalking, discrimination and abuse of official position in the workplace, while ensuring effective preventive measures and appropriate responses to identified cases.

Under the resolution, a programme to ensure a safe and respectful working environment will be introduced in stages across government bodies and organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations.

One of the key measures is the launch of an information portal entitled “Safe and Respectful Working Environment” for government bodies and organisations.

Through the portal, employees will be able to submit online complaints concerning harassment and violence. The system will also enable complaints to be reviewed, evidence to be collected, investigation findings to be documented and information about measures taken to be maintained electronically.

In addition, a mechanism will be introduced to automatically forward a complaint to a higher-level authority if it concerns the responsible employee, their direct supervisor or another official of the organisation. This measure is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the impartial consideration of complaints.

Where incidents of harassment or violence contain indications of an administrative offence or a criminal act, the relevant complaints may be referred to the competent authorities through the unified “112” dispatch service.

This mechanism is designed to ensure that responses are not limited to an organisation’s internal procedures and that law enforcement authorities can intervene promptly whenever there are indications of a legal violation.

The resolution also aims to incorporate international standards on preventing harassment and violence in the world of work into national practice. In particular, proposals are to be developed concerning the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Convention on the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. This may provide a legal basis for broader application of international approaches to protecting human dignity, safety and equality in employment relations.

The significance of the resolution lies in its comprehensive approach to protecting employees’ rights. It envisages the digitalisation of complaint-handling procedures, safeguards for confidentiality and impartial review, the designation of responsible officials, preventive training, and the involvement of law enforcement authorities where necessary.

Dilshodbek QAYUMOV,

Lead Occupational Safety Specialist at the Andijan Regional Council Office of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan.