Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Mar.6
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
The World Bank (WB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will continue to support the efforts of the government of Uzbekistan to achieve international standards and decent work conditions, said representatives of the World Bank and the ILO during a round table on the topic "On implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes and social aspects of mechanization of the agricultural sector", held March 3-4 in Tashkent.
In his speech at the round table, representative of the ILO Kari Tapiola said that the Committee of Experts of the organization highly appreciates measures taken in Uzbekistan to implement the basic conventions of the International Labour Organisation, ratified by the Republic, as well as to create new jobs, ensure safe working conditions and protect the workers' rights.
Compliance with labor laws during admission and use of the workforce, including seasonal work, particularly during the cotton harvest, as well as the expansion of mechanization scopes of this work are relevant for Uzbekistan, according to ILO experts.
Speaking at the round table, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Saroj Kumar Jha said that the country adopts concrete and effective measures to implement the Decent Work Country Programmes.
He said that at the same time, the World Bank is actively involved in the implementation of the projects on a large-scale modernization of agriculture ongoing in the country, for which the Bank has allocated over $650 million.
Social aspects of mechanization of agricultural sector are considered as an essential component of the program, as 49 percent of the population lives in rural areas, 27 percent of total employment is related to agriculture, which provides about 17 percent of Uzbekistan's GDP.
Special attention in this work is paid to the modernization and diversification of agriculture, the projects to improve water resources management, support of farmers and companies specializing in the agricultural sector, a gradual increase of the level of mechanization of agriculture.
The roundtable was also attended by representatives of the ministry of labor and social welfare, the council of federation of trade unions, the Chamber of Commerce, research institutes, diplomatic corps in Uzbekistan, international and non-governmental organizations, the public and the media.