Uzbekistan marks OSH Day with focus on psychosocial risks and violence prevention

TASHKENT (ILO News) - Uzbekistan marked the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (OSH Day) with a high-level conference highlighting the importance of addressing psychosocial risks and promoting a world of work free from violence and harassment.

Organized by the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, the hybrid conference brought together government representatives, employers' and workers' organizations, and international partners to discuss "Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Work Environment", in line with the International Labour Organization's (ILO) global OSH priorities.

Strong national and tripartite engagement

Opening the event, Rano Turdiboyeva, Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction, reaffirmed Uzbekistan's commitment to strengthening occupational safety and health systems and improving working conditions.

Representing the social partners, Otabek Ashurov, Chairperson of the Confederation of Employers of Uzbekistan, and Bakhtiyor Makhmadaliyev, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, emphasized the critical role of social dialogue in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces and preventing violence and harassment in the world of work.

Parliamentary representatives Erkin Gadoev and Nazira Mukhtorova highlighted ongoing efforts to reinforce legislative frameworks supporting safe working environment free of violence and harassment.

The ILO contributed to the opening through a video message by Joaquim Pintado Nunes, Branch Chief of the ILO Occupational Safety and Health and Working Environment (OSHE) Branch, and remarks by Yuri Sterk, Senior Coordinator of the ILO in Uzbekistan, who underscored the importance of aligning national action with international labour standards.

National focus on strengthening OSH systems

The conference reflected Uzbekistan's growing focus on strengthening institutional mechanisms for occupational safety and health, including the role of the State Labour Inspectorate in preventing psychosocial risks as well as violence and harassment and ensuring compliance at workplace level.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating psychosocial risk management into national policies and workplace practices, supported by international cooperation and knowledge exchange. In her intervention, Minna Maaskola, Senior Technical Specialist from the ILO Better Work programme, stressed that psychosocial risks can be systematically addressed through improved workplace systems, including better communication, supervisor training and strengthened social dialogue, leading not only to improved worker well-being but also to higher productivity and more stable enterprises.

Preventing violence and harassment in the world of work

A dedicated session addressed the prevention of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence, as an integral part of ensuring safe and healthy working environments.

A presentation by Özge Berber-Agtaş, ILO Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Specialist, highlighted the importance and relevance of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), which calls for an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to addressing and preventing violence and harassment in the world of work.

With nearly one in five workers globally experiencing violence and harassment, participants stressed the need for stronger prevention, reporting and enforcement mechanisms in line with ILO Convention No. 190.

The conference also explored practical measures to promote psychosocial well-being, including improving workplace culture, addressing gender-related risks and strengthening awareness and training. Newly developed ILO digital platform E-COLLAB.OSH was introduced as a good model combining a knowledge repository, transfer of knowledge, training for capacity-building, and interactive data-driven tools to promote collaboration and the exchange of best practices.

Sessions highlighted the importance of addressing the psychological work environment alongside physical safety, as well as ensuring that OSH frameworks respond to the specific needs of women and vulnerable groups.

Renewed commitment to safe and healthy workplaces

The conference concluded with a shared commitment by government, employers' and workers' organisations to further strengthen occupational safety and health systems, address psychosocial risks, and promote a culture of dignity and respect at work.

In her closing remarks, Deputy Minister Rano Turdiboyeva emphasized that ensuring safe and healthy working environments, particularly addressing psychosocial risks, is central to protecting human dignity and advancing sustainable development. She outlined key priority actions, including making psychosocial risk assessment a standard practice in all workplaces; strengthening labour inspection through digital and risk-based approaches; enhancing the capacity of managers to foster healthy work environments; reinforcing national policies to prevent violence and harassment; and deepening cooperation with the ILO to align national frameworks with international standards.

Marking OSH Day, the event reaffirmed that safe and healthy working environments, including mental health and psychosocial well-being, are fundamental to achieving decent work for all.