Why is this important
The law introduces a unified state social insurance system that affects sick leave, maternity leave, and unemployment benefits for citizens throughout the country. From 2026, social payments in Uzbekistan will be administered through a separate state fund, and citizens’ participation in the social insurance system will be regulated by unified rules.
What happened
- Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law on state social insurance.
- The document defines the procedure for the activities of the State Social Insurance Fund, as well as mandatory and voluntary social insurance.
- The law comes into force on January 1, 2026.
- The Senate approved the law on social insurance from the second attempt at the end of October.
Numbers and facts
- The State Social Insurance Fund will provide three types of payments to insured citizens upon the occurrence of insured events: temporary disability benefits, maternity benefits, and unemployment benefits.
- Payments can be made both to directly insured citizens and to their family members, the amount and term of payments are established by law.
- The income of the State Social Insurance Fund is formed from part of the social tax and insurance contributions.
- For citizens covered by compulsory insurance, the contribution is formed from the portion of personal income tax.
- Voluntary insurance participants will pay contributions in the prescribed amount.
Context
- For employees, this means more stable and formalized protection of income in case of illness, pregnancy, or job loss, regardless of the financial situation of a particular company.
- For employers, the law reduces the direct burden on social payments, as part of the obligations is transferred to the insurance system.
- For women, the new procedure potentially reduces the risks of discrimination in hiring, as maternity payments will be provided through the fund, and not solely at the expense of the employer.
