Slovakia Shows Interest in Legal Workforce from Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A conference titled “Sustainable Labor Migration in Practical Steps” was held in Bratislava, organized by the Slovak Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to  Dunyo news agency.

The event focused on exchanging international experience in managing labor migration, showcasing best practices of bilateral cooperation, and discussing current policies, programs, and trends in the field.

Representatives of Slovak government bodies, employers, and trade unions, labor migration specialists, as well as diplomats and representatives of international organizations participated in the conference.

Opening the conference, Karol Jokl, Director of the Department of International Relations and European Affairs at the Slovak Ministry of Labor, emphasized that the country faces a significant labor shortage in several key sectors, necessitating the exploration of new forms of international labor migration.

In this context, a new national migration policy strategy was adopted in June 2025, aimed at creating opportunities for labor migrants, simplifying procedures, and implementing integration measures, particularly for specialists from non-EU countries who are in demand on the labor market.

Gianluca Rocco, Director of the IOM Subregional Office, expressed the organization’s readiness to support all interested parties.

During the conference, a report was presented by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Slovakia, resident in Vienna, Bakhtiyor Ibragimov, who detailed the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan to develop external labor migration.

He noted Slovakia’s interest in legally attracting qualified and organized labor from Uzbekistan and emphasized Tashkent’s readiness for long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.

The diplomat also highlighted that labor migration carries not only economic significance but also contributes to strengthening cultural ties and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.