Reliable shield for human rights

Educational activities within the framework of improving legal literacy, in particular, consideration of issues on the prevention of illegal actions in relation to employees and students of universities are held on the regular basis at the Branch of Russian State University of Oil and Gas (NRU) in named after I.M.Gubkin in Tashkent city.

One of such events, a seminar on the prohibition of forced labor in Uzbekistan was held in the university’s hall with the participation of leading experts of the Republican Council of the Oil and Gas Trade Union.

During the seminar, presentations have been made by:

  - Sobirbjon Egamberdiev, Chief Labor Safety Specialist of the Republican Council of the Trade Union of the petroleum industry and geology of Uzbekistan (“Eradication of Forced Labor in Uzbekistan”),

  - General Counsel of the Republican Council of the Trade Union of of the petroleum industry and geology of Uzbekistan Ulugbek y ("Labor Protection"),

  - Alisher Mamatov, Chief Specialist for Socio-Economic Issues of the Republican Council of the Trade Union of the petroleum industry and geology of Uzbekistan.

The event was held in the format of discussions and exchange of views. In particular, as the visiting experts have mentioned, forced labor is a inducing to perform works under the threat of any punishment. No one has the right to bring to forced labor under the threat of dismissal from work, cut-off wages, demotion and other pretexts. The activities which assume fulfillment on the basis of legislation on military or alternative service, in a state of emergency, as a result of a valid court sentence, in other cases provided by law are not considered forced labor work.

Thus, with the exception of the aforementioned cases, engaging an employee to work not related to his professional activities through the use of violence or threats is recognized as forced labor. Attracting an employee to the accomplishments, seasonal agricultural and construction work, as well as various activities, is evaluated as a type of forced labor.

Attracting citizens to forced labor by an employer or official provides for administrative or criminal liability.

According to Article 51 of the Administrative Responsibility Code, administrative forcing for labor in any form, except for cases provided by the law, entails imposing a fine from 1 up to 3 times the minimum wage; the same offense committed against a minor entails imposing a fine from 5 up to 10 minimum wages.

Depending on the degree of public danger of attracting for forced labor, officials may be held criminally liable under articles 205, 206 of the Criminal Code.

Any manifestation of forced labor is recognized as a violation of human rights, and to fight against this phenomenon is a civic duty of everyone, experts quoted the message of the Ministry of Justice. In addition, Trade Union leaders mentioned the helpline 71-200-06-01 and the telegraph channel @ mehnathuquqbot which can be used to send reports of forced labor.

Speakers separately noted that in the Branch of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas (NRU) named after I.M.Gubkin in Tashkent, through the efforts of the university management which performs as a reliable shield for the rights of students and employees, all conditions have been created for the protection of labor and the educational process, leisure, research activities in general. Teachers and students are not induced to participate in cleaning works: a special staff performs their daily duties for this purpose. The territory of the university is a picturesque corner of nature, with planted trees and spruces, original compositions with symbols of oil and gas and oil rigs. The ideal cleanliness and grooming of the alley established in honor of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the university, a kind of mini-park can be called a corporate style and business card of the Branch of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas (NRU) named after I.M.Gubkin in Tashkent.

At the end of the meeting the participants received comprehensive answers for the questions given.

Press Service of the Branch