The appeal was taken under the Ombudsman’s control, and the circumstances were examined by the Ombudsman’s Regional Representative in Syrdarya Region with the involvement of the State Labour Inspectorate of the Syrdarya Regional Department for Poverty Reduction and Employment.

During the examination, it was established that several employees of the state preschool education institution referred to in the appeal had been involved in cleaning the institution’s building and grounds following the completion of construction work. Cases were also identified in which employees had been required to collect votes for an initiative on the “Open Budget” portal.

Based on the materials collected in connection with the case, the State Labour Inspectorate established that forced labour had been permitted in these instances and that the requirements of Article 5 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan had been violated.

As a result, pursuant to Part 1 of Article 51 of the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Liability, G.A., the head of the state preschool education institution referred to in the appeal, was fined an amount equal to 50 basic calculation units, or UZS 20.6 million.

It should be noted that, under the legislation, it is prohibited to forcibly involve an employee in work that falls outside their employment duties, as well as to permit forced labour in any form within the framework of employment relations.

Press Service of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)