Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the ninth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, senators reviewed the Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

During the discussion, it was noted that in recent years labor migration has expanded significantly, with a growing number of citizens returning from abroad and an increased flow of foreign nationals arriving in Uzbekistan for commercial and employment purposes. Voluntary medical examinations of certain categories of migrants revealed cases of infectious diseases that pose a serious threat to public health.

In 2024, of the 1.7 million Uzbek citizens who returned after long stays abroad, only 434,000, or 25 percent, voluntarily underwent HIV/AIDS testing. Among them, 1,512 tested positive. Additionally, over 12,700 foreign citizens and stateless persons were tested, 81 of whom were diagnosed with the virus. However, the exact number of infected individuals among those who were not tested remains unknown, making the issue especially urgent.

The adopted Law introduces amendments to the Laws “On Combating the Spread of the Disease Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Infection),” “On Private Employment Agencies,” and “On Employment.”

Specifically, the Law mandates HIV testing for Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who have been abroad for 90 or more days, as well as for foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the country or arriving for employment.

For Uzbek citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Uzbekistan, the testing will be funded from the State Budget. Foreign nationals and stateless persons arriving for work or permanently residing in Uzbekistan must undergo testing at their own expense, through their employers, or via other sources not prohibited by law.

The Law also stipulates that the detection of HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis will serve as grounds for denying a permit to engage in employment activities in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Additionally, private employment agencies will be required to ensure that citizens traveling abroad for work receive training in accordance with the legislation and regulations of the host country, which will now be a condition for obtaining a license.

Senators stressed that the adoption of this Law aims to prevent the spread of dangerous infectious diseases, safeguard public health, and establish effective legal mechanisms to protect citizens in the context of growing labor migration.

Following the discussion, the Senate approved the Law.