Over 2,100 civil service positions to be cut in Uzbekistan

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Number of deputy governors in Uzbekistan to be reduced

Starting from November 1 of this year, a total of 2,141 positions within the executive bodies of Uzbekistan will be reduced. This is stated in the Presidential decree adopted on October 4, titled ’’On measures to optimize the number of management staff in the executive bodies of the republic through the wide introduction of digitalization.’’

The decree was adopted in line with large-scale reforms aimed at introducing modern market mechanisms into the activities of state bodies, expanding the use of digital technologies, and involving the private sector in the implementation of state functions. It seeks to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of executive bodies and to reduce administrative expenses.

According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers’ proposals to optimize the number of management staff in executive bodies through digitalization have been approved.

In accordance with the document, 2,141 staff positions within the executive branch will be cut, including 1,863 positions from budget-funded organizations and 278 positions from off-budget funds. Additionally, the number of deputy heads in committees, agencies, and inspectorates will be reduced by a total of 16.

Starting from November 1 of this year, the approved number of management staff positions to be optimized within the executive bodies, as well as the number of deputy head positions to be reduced in committees, agencies, and inspectorates, will take effect.

The executive bodies of the republic are tasked with:

• eliminating functions unrelated to their core areas of activity and introducing digital technologies into their operations;
• creating the necessary technical infrastructure for data processing and launching projects based on artificial intelligence, as well as implementing priority projects in this field within the social and economic sectors;
• ensuring the improvement of the population’s knowledge and skills in the use of artificial intelligence technologies and the development of human resource potential in this area.

In addition, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, together with other ministries and agencies, has been instructed to continue work on improving, automating, and digitalizing their functions and responsibilities based on digital technologies.

The heads of the republican executive bodies are instructed to:

• establish commissions within one week to optimize the number of employees in their central offices and subordinate organizations, and to approve the list of positions to be reduced;
• strictly comply with labor legislation when dealing with employees whose positions are being cut and ensure that their labor rights are not violated.

At the same time, the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, together with the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, will take measures to assist employees affected by staff reductions in finding new employment opportunities.

In addition, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Agency for Management of State Assets have been instructed to propose the reduction of at least one deputy head position and a 10 percent optimization of management staff within enterprises where the state’s share in the authorized capital is 50 percent or more. This initiative should be presented to the general meetings of shareholders (participants) and management bodies of state enterprises.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan plans to create a database containing information about civil servants’ phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts.