Uzbekistan Advances Bill to Penalise Unauthorised Foreign Workers
Lawmakers in Uzbekistan have passed a bill in its first reading that introduces administrative liability for foreign nationals and stateless individuals working in the country without official authorisation.
The proposed legislation penalises those who secure employment without a valid work permit or engage in roles that do not match the specific job approved in their existing documentation.
Under the new framework, the State Labour Inspectorate, internal affairs bodies and local courts will hold the authority to review these violations and enforce penalties.
Officials attribute the legislative update to a recent influx of foreign citizens entering the republic. This demographic shift follows the government’s introduction of a simplified visa regime alongside broader initiatives designed to boost tourism.
The bill’s authors contend that implementing strict administrative consequences will prevent widespread workplace violations and ultimately strengthen the protection of overall labour rights across the nation.
