Samarkand governor warned over instruction to teachers (video)

Samarkand region Governor Adiz Boboyev has received a warning over his instruction encouraging teachers to act as street supervisors. The State Labor Inspectorate issued an official statement on the matter.

Earlier, Adiz Boboyev instructed teachers at higher education institutions in Samarkand region to monitor streets and be responsible for their upkeep. The instruction, presented as an initiative for the “beautification of the homeland,” was given during a meeting with university rectors.

A video of the meeting published by the regional administration sparked widespread discussion on social media.

According to the Labor Inspectorate, current legislation prohibits the forced involvement of teachers in work unrelated to their professional duties. If this initiative is implemented in practice and teachers are involved in activities unrelated to their work, it could lead to cases of forced labor.

“In this regard, a warning was sent to Samarkand region Governor Adiz Boboyev stating that involving teachers in work unrelated to their professional activities is contrary to the law and that liability is established for such cases,” the Inspectorate said in its statement.

The Labor Inspectorate emphasized that, when implementing any initiative, it is necessary to comply with current legal requirements and ensure the protection of teachers’ rights and legitimate interests.

How well are teachers’ rights protected in this regard?

Under Uzbekistan’s Law “On the Status of Teachers,” unlawful interference in teachers’ professional activities and involving them in work unrelated to their duties are prohibited.

According to this law, teachers may not be involved in the following activities:

• landscaping, agricultural work or other activities unrelated to their professional duties;
• keeping records of minors who are not covered by education or are under preventive supervision, and similar tasks.

Teachers may be involved in elections, tests, the population census and other socially significant events only with their consent, on the basis of a relevant contract, with additional payment or with their average salary preserved.

Under Article 51 of Uzbekistan’s Code of Administrative Liability, involving teachers in work unrelated to their professional activities, administratively forcing them to work, or unlawfully interfering in their professional activities entails administrative liability.

Officials who commit this offense may be fined from 100 to 150 times the base calculation amount.