President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on proposals aimed at streamlining migration and supporting labor migrants.

Labor migration is a natural process worldwide, and in Uzbekistan, measures are taken to ensure the safe departure of citizens for working abroad. Over the past two years, the External Labor Migration Agency has organized the sending of 70,000 people to work in developed countries.

However, some citizens independently seek work abroad, often in positions that do not require special qualifications. Their working and living conditions, occupations, and income levels vary.

Earlier, the Head of our state set forth the task of facilitating access to the external labor market and implementing measures to ensure employment opportunities for individuals returning from labor migration. Consequently, proposals were developed to enhance the labor migration system.

Accordingly, the Agency for External Labor Migration under the Ministry of Employment will transform into a state institution functioning as a management body. The director of the agency will hold dual roles as both the Deputy Minister of Employment and the head of the Fund for Support of Migrant Workers.

It is planned to introduce the position of labor migration attaché in Uzbekistan’s embassies and consulates in Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Japan, and the Agency Representative in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, 24-hour call centers will be organized in embassies and ministries to promptly address the problems faced by Uzbek citizens abroad.

In line with the principle “work abroad begins from mahalla”, khokim’s assistants and youth leaders will identify individuals willing to work abroad and register their data into the "Online Mahalla" platform. Afterward, candidates will be directed to job offers from foreign employers.

Vocational training and targeted education will be arranged in vocational education institutions for citizens lacking professional skills or language proficiency. To facilitate this, a center for teaching foreign languages and targeted work preparation will be established at the Agency for External Labor Migration.

Individuals willing to work abroad encounter various expenses. Labor migrants are reimbursed for a portion of the expenses incurred in obtaining a work visa, tickets, assessment of foreign language proficiency, and professional qualifications. Upon obtaining an international language certificate or any equivalent, 50% of the language learning costs will be reimbursed.

Assistance in finding employment for individuals returning from labor migration is also crucial. Therefore, based on Saykhunabad experience, individuals who have returned from migration will receive financial support to cultivate crops on household plots. Preferential loans will be allocated through the "Continuous Support for Small Businesses" program. Medical institutions will conduct free medical examinations for former migrants and members of their families. “Inson” centers will provide social assistance to children whose parents work abroad.

Employers will receive a monthly subsidy of 500 thousand soums from the Employment Support Fund for each former migrant worker they hire. A total of 100 billion soums will be allocated for these activities this year.

The Head of the state gave instructions to ensure the effective functioning of this system and to increase the employment opportunities for citizens.