The actions of Ulmas Istamov, the deputy governor of the Kyzyltepa district in the Navoi region of Uzbekistan, have come under scrutiny for compelling organization leaders to gather votes on the Open Budget initiative platform. The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan reported signs of legal violations in Istamov's conduct.
The National Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Ensuring Decent Work investigated the situation and found that Istamov had been campaigning and coercing organization leaders to collect votes for a project not within their official duties.
Following the investigation, the General Prosecutor's Office and the State Labor Inspectorate imposed a fine on Ulmas Istamov under Article 51, Part 1, of the Administrative Responsibility Code for administrative coercion to work in any form, except as provided by law. The fine ranges from 50 to 100 base calculation amounts, equivalent to 17 million to 34 million sums.
The National Commission calls on all responsible employees, as well as employers and territorial leaders, to ensure the constitutional rights of workers, as stated in the message.
The commission also reminded that forced labor is prohibited in the country, and the legislation establishes administrative and criminal liability for coercion to work.
