Uzbekistan Expands Anti-Discrimination Labor Law to Meet ILO Standards

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan's parliament, the Oliy Majlis, has approved a legislative proposal to amend and supplement the Labor Code, incorporating the provisions of ILO Convention No. 111 on discrimination in employment and occupation, which Uzbekistan has previously ratified.

The amendments expand the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in labor and employment to include "skin color" and "political views" — categories not previously enumerated in the code. The move brings Uzbekistan's statutory framework into formal conformity with the convention's requirements.

The bill also introduces dedicated provisions targeting the protection of workers' honor and dignity, and explicitly addresses harassment in the workplace — a notable legislative first for the country's labor law architecture.

Lawmakers framed the initiative within the broader context of Uzbekistan's evolving constitutional guarantees. The updated Constitution, they noted, strengthened legal protections for equality and the prohibition of discrimination, creating both the foundation and the obligation for corresponding Labor Code revisions.

Proponents argued the amendments serve a dual purpose: strengthening enforceable labor rights protections for citizens domestically, while simultaneously advancing Uzbekistan's international standing by demonstrating compliance with ratified multilateral obligations.

A corresponding resolution was adopted following parliamentary debate. The proposal now proceeds through the remaining legislative stages before enactment.

The reform is part of a wider pattern of labor law modernization in Uzbekistan, where authorities have sought to align employment legislation with international norms as part of the country's integration into global trade and investment frameworks.