SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Employment practice living wage

Bukhara State University ensures that all faculty and staff receive at least a living wage, following the governmental labour laws and regulations. The university adheres to Uzbekistan’s labour code, which provides robust guarantees for fair compensation and protection against wage discrimination, aligning with the core principles of the living wage.

  1. Fair Compensation and Non-Discrimination (Article 244)
    The labour laws of Uzbekistan prohibit wage discrimination and ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, are paid equally for work of equal value. These laws guarantee that workers are paid no less than the minimum wage set by the government. Bukhara State University adheres to these laws, ensuring that all staff and faculty receive fair pay, which includes not only the basic salary but also additional payments for overtime, work during holidays, and other exceptional conditions.
  2. Wage Determination Based on Work Complexity and Professionalism (Article 246)
    The wage structure at the university is determined by the complexity of the work, the qualifications of the employees, and the economic performance of the institution. The university applies a system that includes tariff rates, bonuses, and other compensatory payments, ensuring that employees are fairly rewarded for their contributions. These conditions also help ensure that the wages meet or exceed the local living wage.
  3. Ensuring Timely Payment and Protecting Workers’ Rights
    The university is committed to paying wages on time and in full, as required by the labour laws. The labour code also limits wage deductions and guarantees that employees are free to manage their earnings without restrictions. These measures ensure that all university staff can maintain an adequate standard of living, supporting the principles of the living wage.

In summary, Bukhara State University complies with national laws and provides fair and equitable wages to all employees. This ensures that all staff and faculty receive at least the local living wage, thereby supporting their well-being and financial security.

Employment Practice Unions

Recognize unions (freedom of association & collective bargaining) for all, including women & international staff

Bukhara State University fully recognizes and supports the rights of its employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining through unions, ensuring that these rights extend to all employees, including women and international staff.

Collaboration with Local Authorities
Recently, the Bukhara Region Department for Poverty Reduction and Employment conducted a review of the university’s practices in the area of occupational safety. The findings were discussed in a meeting attended by faculty deans, department heads, and administrative leaders. This collaborative approach highlights the university’s commitment to addressing issues raised by unions and external bodies, ensuring that the concerns of all employees are taken seriously.

Annual Conference on Collective Agreements

Bukhara State University held a conference involving the entire labor collective to review the implementation of the collective agreement between the university’s administration and the Trade Union Committee for the period 2020-2022, and to approve a new collective agreement for 2023-2025. This event was attended by representatives from the Uzbekistan Trade Union Federation and other officials, showcasing the university’s dedication to continuously improving the conditions laid out in these agreements. During the conference, issues related to workplace obligations, supporting employees in fulfilling their contractual duties, and enhancing the existing agreements were discussed.

Recognition of Trade Unions and Worker Representation
The university encourages dialogue between its administration and the trade union, ensuring that union representatives play an active role in decision-making processes. This recognition of unions is a key part of the university’s employment practices, reinforcing the importance of collective bargaining and workers’ rights, especially when addressing concerns related to labor contracts and employee welfare.

In summary, Bukhara State University is committed to supporting union activities and collective bargaining, ensuring that employees, including women and international staff, have their rights protected and their concerns addressed through proper channels.

Employment policy on discrimination

At Bukhara State University, a series of visits to honor elderly teachers and retired labor veterans took place as part of the celebrations leading up to Independence Day. One of the recent visits was to the home of Azim Akramov, a respected and honored former teacher of the university. During the visit, a heartfelt conversation was held with the esteemed teacher, expressing gratitude for the prosperity of the nation and the growth of the university. 

The university continues to honor its senior educators through these traditional visits, recognizing their contributions to the institution’s development and the well-being of the community. This initiative reflects the university’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment for all ages, promoting respect and equality for senior staff members as part of its employment policy on ending age-based discrimination in the workplace.

Additionally, a similar visit was made to the home of Azimov Barot Bafoyevich, a Ph.D. and associate professor at Bukhara State University, and Mehribon Madrimova, the spouse of the late Professor Baxrom Xudoynazarovich Madrimov. The visit emphasized the university’s commitment to valuing the legacy of its educators. The conversation touched upon the blessings of living in a prosperous country and expressed aspirations for further advancement in both the university and the broader community. This gesture of appreciation reflects the university’s broader policy to combat discrimination by recognizing contributions regardless of gender or age, ensuring that women like Mehribon Madrimova are also acknowledged for their roles within the academic community. This aligns with the university’s stance against workplace discrimination, particularly in promoting gender equality and respect for all staff.

The cultural and educational event titled “Ayoli e’zozlangan yurt” was recently held in front of the Bukhara Youth Center, organized by the Regional Department of Family and Women’s Affairs. This initiative brought together women of all ages, offering a variety of programs aimed at supporting and empowering women in the community. The event included legal consultation corners, free medical examinations, an employment fair for unemployed women, and book and confectionery markets. A concert program also added a celebratory atmosphere. Professors, tutors, staff, and female students from Bukhara State University actively participated, showing their support for the initiative.

Bukhara State University adheres to the principles outlined in Article 4, which emphasizes the equality of labor rights and the prohibition of discrimination in the workplace. This principle guarantees equal opportunities for all individuals to exercise and protect their labor rights. The university firmly rejects any form of discrimination based on factors such as gender, age, race, nationality, language, social origin, criminal records of relatives, property status, official position, place of residence, religious beliefs, or membership in public associations. Furthermore, it ensures that no restrictions or advantages are granted based on these characteristics, unless directly related to job performance or results.

The institution is committed to creating an inclusive environment, where both direct and indirect forms of discrimination in employment and occupations are prohibited. 

Employment policy modern slavery

Bukhara State University strictly adheres to the labor policies outlined in the Labor Code of Uzbekistan, particularly the principles stated in Article 3 and Article 25. These articles emphasize the prohibition of forced labor, ensuring equal labor rights, and protecting employees from discrimination in employment. The university’s commitment to these principles ensures that no form of compulsory labor or modern slavery exists within its operations. All employees are provided with the freedom to work voluntarily, without any threat or coercion, which aligns with the legal framework established by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Additionally, Article 25 explicitly states that the university, as an employer, must guarantee that there is no violation of these labor codes during hiring, throughout the employment process, or when terminating a labor contract. This includes a strict prohibition against child labor and forced labor, aligning with international standards against modern slavery and human trafficking. In this way, Bukhara State University fully complies with its legal and ethical obligations, ensuring that it follows both local laws and global standards concerning the protection of employees’ rights.

Employment practice equivalent rights outsourcing

Bukhara State University adheres to the labor guarantees outlined in Article 244, which ensure that all employees, including those employed through third-party outsourcing, are treated fairly. The code prohibits any form of discrimination in payment, ensuring equal pay for equal work for men and women, and establishing a minimum wage to protect workers’ financial rights.

The university ensures that outsourced employees are paid according to the same standards applied to internal employees, including guarantees for overtime, night work, and work during public holidays. This aligns with the outsourcing policy requirement under 8.2.5, ensuring that outsourced workers have equivalent rights, including non-discriminatory pay, appropriate work conditions, and timely compensation for their efforts.

Moreover, the university ensures that payment for outsourced workers is protected, even in cases where the employer becomes insolvent, as mandated by the labor code. This level of protection extends to all employees, ensuring fairness and consistency across all employment practices, including third-party outsourced workers.Thus, Bukhara State University complies with both the national labor code and the global requirement for fair treatment of outsourced workers, ensuring that they receive the same rights and protections as direct employees.

Employment policy pay scale equity

Bukhara State University adheres to the labor guarantees established in Article 244, which explicitly prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages and ensure that men and women receive equal pay for work of equal value. This directly supports the policy goal of eliminating gender pay gaps, as the university is committed to fair compensation practices based on the nature of the work performed, not the gender of the employee.

The labor code also establishes a minimum wage standard, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their gender, are paid fairly and according to the established laws. The university’s pay practices align with these legal requirements, which prevent any worsening of employees’ pay conditions below the legal standard and guarantee that wage agreements cannot be worsened by internal policies.

Moreover, the university’s adherence to Article 244 ensures that employees are compensated appropriately for overtime, night work, and work performed on holidays, which applies equally to men and women. This reflects the institution’s commitment to pay scale equity across all employment conditions, further supporting gender pay equality.

Thus, Bukhara State University complies with both national labor standards and international best practices in pay scale equity, ensuring a commitment to measuring and eliminating gender pay gaps.

Tracking pay scale for gender equity. Measurement or tracking pay scale gender equity

The fact that Bukhara State University holds regular meetings, such as the one chaired by the university rector Obidjon Xamidov, to address concerns from staff members and specialists demonstrates a commitment to transparency and the continuous review of internal policies. These meetings, where concerns from employees, including gender-related pay discrepancies, could be raised and reviewed by experts, show the university’s dedication to monitoring and addressing pay scale issues.

Tracking and reviewing employee concerns through these open forums, especially with specialists present, allows the university to ensure that any gender-based pay inequality can be identified and resolved. This is in line with the policy requirement for measuring or tracking pay scale gender equity.

Employment practice labour rights

Seminar on Changes in the Labor Code and Labor Protection Laws: The events, such as the one conducted in collaboration with the Department for Poverty Reduction and Employment at the university, demonstrate a commitment to educating staff members about their labor rights. By updating the staff on the new version of the Labor Code, especially the Law on Labor Protection and changes made under the Presidential decree of 2022, the university ensures that employees are aware of their rights to safe working conditions and labor protection.

Participation and Information Sharing: University staff, including faculty, administrative employees, and other workers, are involved in these training sessions, where they are informed about legal changes, safety protocols, and rights related to labor practices. This includes collective bargaining rights, mandatory insurance, workplace safety, and the procedures for conducting workplace inspections, ensuring that all employees can exercise their labor rights effectively.

The sessions offer a platform for open dialogue between the university administration and employees, which fosters collective bargaining and the recognition of labor rights. In addition, it highlights the university’s efforts to ensure that all workers, including women and international staff, have access to their labor rights, promoting inclusivity and equity.

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