Law grants right to strike for first time in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has officially recognized the right to strike with a new law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on June 11. This landmark legislation, adopted by the Legislative Chamber in September 2025 and approved by the Senate in April 2026, will take effect on September 12. It marks a significant shift in labor relations within the country.

The law defines a strike as a temporary, voluntary, and collective refusal by employees to perform their duties. This action is permitted to protect labor, social, economic, and professional interests when collective labor disputes cannot be resolved through conciliation or if employers fail to adhere to agreements or arbitration decisions. Participation is voluntary, and any form of coercion is prohibited and punishable.

To legally declare a strike, more than 50% of employees or their delegates must approve it at a meeting or conference held at least one month prior. The decision must detail the dispute, strike dates, duration, leadership, and plans for maintaining essential services. Employers must be notified five working days in advance through the trade union committee, and the state labor dispute authority must be informed within one working day of the employer's notice.

While employees retain their jobs and cannot be disciplined for striking, employers are not obligated to pay wages during the work stoppage. The law also mandates that both parties continue efforts to resolve the dispute and maintain public order. In critical sectors, minimum essential services must be sustained, with the list to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. A court can postpone or suspend a strike for up to 30 days if it threatens public safety, security, order, or environmental stability.