The key facts

  • The inspectorate had previously sent letters to all khokimiyats demanding compliance with the work schedule, but violations continue
  • Officials are being held accountable based on the identified facts
  • In September, there had already been complaints about being forced to work after hours and on weekends

The warnings did not work

Some regional, city and district khokimiyats of Uzbekistan continue to unlawfully require employees to work after the end of the working day, despite warnings previously sent. This was reported by the State Labor Inspectorate on its channel, a summary of which is cited by Daryo.uz. According to the agency, letters were previously sent to all khokimiyats demanding that they observe the established work schedule and not assign employees additional work in violation of the law; however, overtime work continues in a number of khokimiyats. Officials are being held accountable based on the identified facts.

What the inspectorate says

The agency called on the khokimiyats to comply with labor legislation: “When requiring employees to work beyond the established working hours, the requirements of labor legislation must be strictly observed,” the statement says. The inspectorate emphasized that observing the work schedule and rest time is important for protecting employees' health, maintaining their working capacity and family life, and that violating the right to rest means violating labor rights guaranteed by law. It was stated that every complaint will be reviewed and that measures provided for by law will be taken in response to identified violations.

Context: complaints had already come in back in September

This is not the inspectorate's first statement on the topic: in September it had already reported that complaints were coming in from some regions about employees being forced to carry out various assignments after the end of the working day and on weekends. At that time, the agency reminded that forced labor is prohibited by law and that employers have no right to force employees to work without their consent under threat of punishment or pressure. The new statement shows that, in the inspectorate's own assessment, the warnings sent to the khokimiyats did not stop the practice — although the specific regions and officials held accountable are not named in the publication.