The Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan's Oliy Majlis has discussed in the first reading a draft law amending the Labor Code. The document expands the list of grounds for discrimination and enshrines a ban on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Deputies reviewed an initiative by a group of parliamentarians aimed at introducing international labor standards into national legislation. The bill is based on the provisions of International Labour Organization Convention No. 111, which Uzbekistan has already ratified.

The Labor Code is proposed to include new grounds prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation, such as "color" and "political opinion."

Additionally, the document establishes a new norm to protect workers' dignity and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The bill provides a direct ban on such actions within labor relations.

This particular norm became a subject of debate among deputies. During the session, questions were raised about how liability for sexual harassment would be determined and how the new mechanism would work in practice.

The bill was adopted in the first reading and sent to the relevant committee for revision, taking into account deputies' proposals.

Earlier, during the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Uzbekistan's delegation discussed labor reforms, social protection development, and the introduction of international decent work standards with the leadership of international organizations.

Source: podrobno.uz