The European Union and its member states, in a statement delivered on 8 June 2026 at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, called on Uzbekistan to strengthen its legal framework against discrimination in employment and occupation and to take concrete measures to reduce the gender pay gap. The statement was made during the Committee on the Application of Standards, focusing on Uzbekistan's compliance with ILO Conventions No. 100 (Equal Remuneration) and No. 111 (Discrimination).
The EU welcomed Uzbekistan's reported adoption on 15 May 2026 of amendments adding colour and political opinion as prohibited grounds of discrimination, but encouraged their swift final adoption and effective enforcement. The EU also noted steps taken by Uzbekistan, including new provisions in the Labour Code, national strategies, and dedicated institutions, but expressed concern that the legal framework does not yet provide comprehensive protection against discrimination in employment and occupation. The EU encouraged the government to ensure that concepts of direct and indirect discrimination are clearly defined and effectively applied.
Significant gender gaps persist, the EU said, with lower labour force participation for women, underrepresentation in management positions, and a high share of young women not in employment, education, or training. The EU echoed the Committee's call to challenge gender stereotypes, expand women's access to education and vocational opportunities, and reduce occupational segregation through targeted action supported by gender-disaggregated data.
The EU also highlighted concern over the significant gender pay gap, linked to structural factors including occupational segregation, the disproportionate burden of family responsibilities on women, and gender-based discrimination. It encouraged the government to take concrete measures to address these causes and to provide regular, disaggregated data on pay disparities across sectors and occupations.
Uzbekistan became a beneficiary of the EU's GSP+ scheme in 2021, which grants market access conditional on effective implementation of 27 international conventions, including ILO Convention No. 111. In 2025, the EU and Uzbekistan signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, broadening cooperation and strengthening the regulatory framework for trade and economic relations.
The EU reiterated its readiness to support Uzbekistan in strengthening its capacity to address the issues raised and meet its obligations under the ratified Conventions. The statement was also aligned with candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Republic of Moldova, as well as Norway and the United Kingdom.
← Atlas › News › Foreign affairs