The key facts

  • The Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft law “On Holidays”; it has been published on the SOVAZ portal until November 4.
  • 9 non-working nationwide holidays and 23 professional holidays are to be enshrined.
  • The law will enter into force three months after official publication and signing by the president.

Draft law on holidays put up for discussion

The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan has prepared a draft law “On Holidays”. The document has been published on the portal for discussion of regulatory legal acts (SOVAZ) and is under discussion until November 4. The law regulates the organization of nationwide and professional holidays, as well as memorable and international dates — days marked in connection with national, historical, social, cultural, professional or other events of particular significance in the life of society and the state.

Nine non-working nationwide holidays

The draft law enshrines a list of 9 nationwide holidays with the status of non-working days: New Year (January 1), Women's Day (March 8), Navruz (March 21), Day of Memory and Honor (May 9), Independence Day (September 1), Teachers and Mentors Day (October 1), Constitution Day of Uzbekistan (December 8), as well as the first day of the religious holidays “Ruza hayit” (Eid al-Fitr) and “Kurban hayit” (Eid al-Adha).

23 professional holidays

A separate list identifies 23 professional holidays, among them: Day of Prosecution Bodies Employees (January 8), Day of Customs Service Employees (January 26), Day of Transport Workers (February 1), Day of Mahalla System Employees (March 22), Day of Geology Sector Employees (first Sunday of April), Day of Culture and Arts Workers (April 15), Day of Housing and Utilities Workers (April 18), Day of ICT Workers (May 7), Day of Mining and Metallurgical Industry Workers (third Sunday of May), Day of Archive Workers (June 9), Day of Press and Media Workers (June 27), Day of Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Consumer Services Workers (last Sunday of June), Day of National Guard Bodies Employees (August 4), Entrepreneurs Day (August 20), Day of Railway Transport Workers (first Sunday of August), Day of Construction Sector Workers (second Sunday of August), Air Fleet Day (third Sunday of August), Day of State Security Service Officers (September 26), Rescuers Day (October 20), Day of Internal Affairs Bodies Officers (October 25), Trade Unions Day (November 11), Day of Medical Workers (second Sunday of November) and Day of Agriculture Workers (second Sunday of December).

Organization and financing of holidays

Holiday days associated with memorable dates may be established by decrees and resolutions of the president. International dates observed in Uzbekistan are determined by the Cabinet of Ministers taking into account national, historical and other values. Nationwide holidays are organized by the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, the khokimiyats of Tashkent and the regions, as well as responsible state bodies; professional holidays are the responsibility of the relevant state bodies, organizations and their subdivisions. Expenses for festive events are covered by additional sources of local budgets, budgetary and extra-budgetary funds of state bodies, as well as donations and other lawful sources. In connection with holiday days, employers will be able to pay employees incentive bonuses not provided for in the remuneration system, in the manner established by labor legislation.

Timing of entry into force

The law will enter into force three months from the date of official publication after being signed by the president. Until November 4, the document is at the stage of public discussion.