The head of a state preschool education organization in Syrdarya region was fined for involving employees in forced labor. This was reported by the press service of the Authorized Person for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Oliy Majlis.

Citizen D. S. appealed to the Ombudsman, reporting that several female employees of the kindergarten were forced to clean the building and courtyard after construction work, as well as to collect votes on the Open budget portal. Based on the appeal, an investigation was launched.

The inspection conducted by the regional representative of the Ombudsman and the State Labor Inspectorate confirmed a violation of Article 5 of the Labor Code (the principle of freedom of labor and prohibition of forced labor). The results revealed the illegal actions of kindergarten head G. A.

An administrative penalty was applied to kindergarten head G. A. under Part 1 of Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility (administrative coercion to labor). A fine of 50 basic calculation units (over 20 million soums) was imposed. This decision became an important step in the fight against forced labor.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced in March 2025 that projects with forcibly collected votes would be excluded from the 'Initiative Budget'. This measure is aimed at preventing cases of forced vote collection.

In spring 2025, in Quva district of Fergana region, a director who demanded a deduction of 700,000 soums from teachers' salaries for collecting votes under Open budget was dismissed. This case was also recognized as a manifestation of forced labor and financial pressure.

In March 2023, Uzbekistan introduced administrative and criminal liability for forcing pedagogical workers into labor. These legislative changes created an important legal basis for combating forced labor.

Source: www.gazeta.uz