Integrated ILO Approach on Good Governance and Decent Work in Uzbekistan’s Cotton, Textile and Apparel Sector

During the event, information on the implementation of the workplan and strategic priorities of Better Work Uzbekistan was presented. This programme was launched in Uzbekistan in 2023 following a request from the tripartite constituents and is working directly with factories in the garment and textile value chain in Uzbekistan, applying Better Work methodologies to create a culture of compliance, social dialogue and management systems and liaise with international buyers who are interested to source from suppliers in Uzbekistan.

The ILO Approach is fully in line with Uzbekistan Decent Work Country Programme (2021-5) and will serve the purposeful and high-quality use of funds and resources to achieve the following objectives:

• To promote respect for Fundamentals Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) in the cotton supply chain;
• To support the development of inclusive and sustainable enterprises that respect FPRW and uphold conditions of decent work for all workers in the sector;
• To strengthen the capacity of Employers and Workers organisations and social dialogue institutions to advance decent work with a focus on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;
• To strengthen the capacity of the Labour Administration to govern the labour market and create an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises and conditions of decent work.

The participants validated the workplan for 2023-2026 of the new project Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) in the Cotton Supply Chain (INDITEX Project). The project was developed in partnership with the garment multinational company, INDITEX, in order to reinforce the respect and realization of the fundamental principles and rights at work. The first phase of the project, carried out over five years in three countries (India, Pakistan and Mali) and a ‘global’ component implemented by the ILO FUNDAMENTALS Branch, has produced useful insights in promoting FPRW in the lower tiers of the cotton supply chain. The second phase will build on this experience, replicating successes in India and Pakistan while addressing specific concerns in Uzbekistan, with more emphasis on all FPRW including OSH.

The ILO colleagues, Miranda Fajerman and Pablo Arellano presented an assessment on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise and collective bargaining in Uzbekistan for validation. Key gaps in application of ratified ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 were discussed, including issuing concerning registration of independent trade unions, protection against interference, the right to strike and anti-union discrimination.

Upon completion of the workshop, the parties reiterated their commitment to developing decent working conditions in Uzbekistan.