The Senate of Uzbekistan has approved amendments to the Labor Code that establish an outright ban on sexual harassment in employment and expand the list of characteristics that constitute grounds for employee discrimination.
This law was considered during a plenary session of the upper house of parliament. The preparation of these amendments was aimed at integrating international standards and conventions established by the International Labour Organization into national legislation.
The new document officially enshrines the inadmissibility of any form of sexual harassment both in the workplace and generally in the sphere of employment. Furthermore, skin color and political beliefs have now been included as signs of potential discrimination in labor relations.
Senators noted that the adopted provisions will help strengthen labor guarantees, promote equal opportunities in production, and more effectively prevent cases of discrimination among workers. After discussion, the law received approval.
It is worth noting that the Senate of the Oliy Majlis previously adopted a law providing for life imprisonment for committing acts of sexual violence against minors under the age of fourteen.
