OSCE Supports Stronger Governance for Female Labour Migration in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — When women return home from working abroad, they bring back far more than financial support - they bring new skills, unique perspectives, and untapped potential for Uzbekistan’s economy. But how can we ensure they have the right tools and support to thrive back home?

To help address these challenges, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, together with the Committee of Family and Women and national partners involved in labour migration governance, convened a seminar in Tashkent to discuss the experiences of women labour migrants, identify remaining challenges and explore practical measures to strengthen their economic reintegration.

While migration offers life-changing opportunities, the journey for women often comes with distinct challenges - from navigation of local job markets to accessing financial resources upon return.

The discussions drew on evidence and lessons generated throughout the project, as well as the practical experience of government institutions and international organizations working to support women labour migrants and returnees.

"Comprehensive work is underway in Uzbekistan to support migrant families and provide them with multifaceted assistance. In cooperation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, we are implementing a cascade training programme aimed at the economic reintegration of returning women. We will train trainers who will help them master in-demand professions, IT skills, and financial literacy," noted Umida Abdullaeva, First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Family and Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The seminar served as a collaborative platform bringing together government institutions and international organizations to exchange experiences, discuss current challenges, and identify practical, gender-responsive approaches to improving labour migration governance and supporting women's economic reintegration.

Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, highlighted the crucial role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping safe, inclusive, and empowering migration frameworks:

"Effective and gender-responsive labour migration governance is about creating opportunities for women to return home with confidence, apply the skills and experience they have gained abroad, and contribute fully to Uzbekistan's economic and social development."

The event also featured a high-level panel discussion with representatives of the OSCE PCUz, the Committee of Family and Women, the Migration Agency, the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction and IOM on strengthening institutional co-operation and improving support services for women labour migrants throughout the migration cycle.

The seminar forms part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan's two-year project, Promoting Effective Female Labour Migration Governance and Economic Empowerment of Women Returnees. The project supports national partners in strengthening gender-responsive labour migration governance, enhancing institutional co-operation, and expanding opportunities for the sustainable economic reintegration of women returnees. It is funded by Germany, Norway, Türkiye and the Republic of Korea.