Theme Social Protection of the Population and Strengthening of Inter-Ethnic Harmony

Theme 9. Social Protection of the Population and Strengthening of Inter-Ethnic Harmony

After the Independence of Uzbekistan, ensuring the social protection of the population has become main state policy and priority in the process of transition to market economy. Moreover, as we discussed in our previous session, one of the principles of Uzbek model of development is a strong social policy, which constitutes the state support of a socially vulnerable segments of the population.

The initial stage of transition to market economy dealt with such issues as denationalization, price liberalization, reduction of wages, which led to the emergence of an insecure population. Therefore, one of the directions of the state support was the protection of the level of income of the population in Uzbekistan.

The real purpose of all reforms that has been implemented in Uzbekistan is to create decent living conditions for the citizens. Moreover, the ignorance of people's social problems can be assessed as one of factors for the threat to stability and national security of the country.

During the first difficult years of independence, in the years of hard economic conditions, many measures and reforms of governance were utilized in order to normalize people's lives.

First, measures have been taken to preserve the level of income of the population in conditions of changes in the prices of consumer goods and sharp decline in money (inflation).

For this purpose, a unified tariff scale was introduced in January 1993. This measure has allowed directly linking employees' salaries through tariff rates, to the minimum wage. By raising the minimum wage, the average wage and money incomes have also been increased. Until 2009, wages were paid according to 23 (0-22) categories. On July 21 2009, the Cabinet Ministers of Uzbekistan issued decree on "The Further Improvement of the Unified Tariff Scale of Labor Payment". According to the degree a minor change was occurred and the thus categories of labor payment decreased in 22 (1-22). So, zero category was abandoned.

The living standards of the population depend on the domestic consumer market, the prices for food and household goods. In the process of liberalization of the prices, which was executed at the first stage of economic reforms, measures were aimed to protect the socially vulnerable segments of the population and to establish state control of the domestic consumer market.

The prices have been gradually being liberalized since January 1992, with preliminarily planned measures for social protection of the population. In accordance with the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers "On Measures for Price Liberalization" from January 10, 1992, a wide range of industrial goods, technical means in Uzbekistan have been approved by the fixed (free) prices and tariffs. The government has set the boundaries of prices for food and industrial goods in limited quantities for the protection of the population and the highest tariffs for certain types of services.

In 1993, the list of goods and services sold at fixed and regulated prices was significantly reduced. State regulation of import wholesale prices was suspended.

In October-November 1994, prices for basic types of consumer goods were issued, tariffs for transport and utilities services were raised.

However, for the purpose of social protection of the population bread, flour prices, housing, communal services and urban transport continued in fixed manner.

At the same time, additional social benefits have been introduced. For example, free breakfast for primary school students and single pensioners, free meals for children under 2 years old, discount for food for school teachers and students.

It was provided free of charge, flats and utilities payments have been granted for school teachers, orphanages, preschool and out-of-school tutors, professors and teachers of higher and specialized secondary educational establishments, academic, creative and medical staff, government apartments.

Lonely pensioners have been exempted from payment for housing and communal services, provided free access to medicines, essentials, and free public transport.

Following actions on social protection were introduced:

* Payment of 1.5 times minimum wage to families with children under 2 years of age;

* Providing women with an average monthly salary of 125 calendar days during pregnancy and childbirth;

* Allowance for disabled people from childhood;

* 50% of privileged payment for communal services and apartment usage (for the family of disabled person);

* Exemption from payment for communal services and apartment usage to residents living in rural areas and 50% of privileged payment for communal services and apartment usage in cities (school teachers, tutors and teachers, academic staff, teachers of higher and secondary special education);

* 50% discount for electricity consumption (disabled family);

* Exemption from land tax (families with 5 or more children under the age of 16, families of invalids).

In recent years, special attention is being paid to issues of public health, protection of motherhood and childhood, reliable access to drugs, upbringing of physically and spiritually healthy generation. In particular, a limited price of 340 titles of medicines and medical supplies was installed. A mechanism for government support for the elderly and the disabled has been developed. According to the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers that adopted on March 9, residents and guests of the capital have the right to use the subway service from 10.00 to 16.00, with indication of a pension certificate from March 15 2017.

Islam played a significant role in the history of Uzbekistan, and the majority of the country's population are Muslims. Therefore, it is important to study briefly the history of the penetration and spread of Islam in Central Asia.

Under the flag of Islam, Arabic tribal groups united in a vast territory, with a single centralized Arab caliphate. During the medieval and modern periods, four major caliphates existed:

1) Rashidun Caliphate (632-661)

2) Ummayad Caliphate (661-750)

3) Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)

4) Ottoman Empire (1517-1924)

Along with the Arab invasion, Movarounnahr also embraced Islam

The Arab conquest of Central Asia can be divided into two historical periods. In late of the seventh century Arab troops captured southern part of Central Asia, such as Balkh, Chaghaniyon, Marv. During early of the eighth century Arab army under command of Qutayba ibn Muslim conquered Kesh, Samarqand, Tashkent, O’sh, Eastern Turkestan.

The state formations and dynasties in Central Asia such as Samanids, Qorakhanids, Ghaznavids, Anushtegins, Timurids and last three khanates – Khiva, Bukhara and Kokand that existed from the ninth century to early 20th century built their state administration and legislation mostly on the basis of Sharia.

The Shari'ah is Islamic canonical law and it based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna) and also other important sources. The Shari’a is a system of legal, ethical principles and practical requirements in Islam.

Islamic tradition influenced on all sphere of cultural life in Central Asia. The great and famous representatives of Central Asia contributed to the development of world science and artistic mind.

After the conquest of Central Asia by Russian Empire in 1850-1880s, the role of Islam gradually declined in the region because of Tsarist policy toward the religion. During the rule of Soviet Union Islam was replaced with atheism. Many mosques and madrasas were closed. In 1943, Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia and Kazakhstan (SADUM) was established. However, the communists fully controlled the activity of the Spiritual Administration and religious establishments such as mosques, madrasas and educational institutions that functioned in the region. In 1991, Uzbekistan’s branch of SADUM was reestablished as Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

After proclamation of state independence, attitude towards religions and religious beliefs significantly changed in Uzbekistan. Religious restoration and renewal of national tradition became one of the priorities in cultural life of Uzbek society. Moreover, the government has made the effort to improve religious tolerance in the country. Freedom of conscience and position of state in dealing with religious issue are legally determined. In particular, a number of articles on religious matter was included in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” was adopted.

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