Belarus and Uzbekistan Agree on Mechanism for Organised Employment

Belarus and Uzbekistan have agreed on a mechanism for organised employment. On Thursday, Belarusian Labour and Social Protection Minister Andrei Labovich and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed an intergovernmental agreement on the organised recruitment and employment of Uzbek citizens for temporary work in Belarus.

The Ministry of Labour published the contents of the agreement. It is largely similar to a comparable agreement previously concluded with Pakistan.

According to the Belarusian ministry, the Migration Agency under the Government of Uzbekistan, or another authorised agency, will select candidates in line with the requirements of Belarusian employers, taking into account their qualifications, work experience, the absence of medical conditions preventing employment, and other criteria. The candidates will then be approved by the employers. The agency will also coordinate draft employment contracts before the candidates depart for Belarus. It will provide pre-departure training, including familiarisation with working and living conditions, rules of stay, legislation, and the culture and traditions of Belarus.

The Uzbek side will also ensure the return of Uzbek citizens to their home country in cases where they violate Belarusian law or fail to meet the qualification requirements set by Belarusian employers.

In turn, Belarusian employers:

• conclude an organised recruitment and employment agreement with the authorised organisation,
• approve candidates for employment,
• obtain the necessary permits (where required),
• sign employment contracts with migrant workers.

“The new mechanism will make the recruitment of foreign workers more transparent, organised and convenient for both employers and the workers themselves,” the Ministry of Labour said.

Yesterday, Aliaksandr Lukashenka said he would like workers from Uzbekistan to come to Belarus before Pakistanis do.