Senate Approves Law on State Social Insurance

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Senate of Uzbekistan, at its eleventh plenary session, considered and approved the Law “On State Social Insurance.” The document had previously been rejected by senators due to a number of comments but was revised by the reconciliation commission of both chambers of the Oliy Majlis and resubmitted for discussion.

During the session, senators emphasized the relevance of the Law’s provisions, which aim to ensure reliable protection of workers’ rights and interests. The Law establishes three types of payments to be made by the State Social Insurance Fund: benefits for temporary incapacity for work due to illness, maternity benefits, and payments in the event of job or income loss. It stipulates that in these cases, insured individuals and their family members are entitled to sickness benefits, maternity benefits, and severance payments.

Funding for these payments will be provided through a portion of the social tax, insurance contributions, allocations from the state budget, income from temporarily placing the Fund’s resources in deposits, and other sources permitted by law. The Law also specifies which categories of citizens are subject to mandatory state social insurance and which may participate voluntarily. The amount of insurance contributions for those covered by mandatory insurance will be determined by the State Budget Law as part of personal income tax, while for voluntary participants, contributions will be based on a minimum payment established by legislation.

Senators also discussed key provisions of the Law regarding the rights and responsibilities of insured persons, insurers, and the insurance authority, as well as measures to ensure the financial stability of the Fund and the procedures for granting, suspending, and terminating payments. Particular attention was given to issues of social protection for workers, reducing the burden of social payments on employers, and preventing discrimination against women in employment.

Following the discussion, the Senate approved the Law, which is now ready for further implementation.