Termez State University recognises and protects the fundamental labour rights of its academic, administrative, technical and support employees, including freedom of association, voluntary trade union membership and the right to collective bargaining. These commitments are integrated into the university's institutional employment framework and supported by its Policy on Fair Employment, Equality, and Labour Rights. The university recognises the importance of independent employee representation in protecting workplace interests, promoting fair employment conditions and maintaining constructive relations between employees and institutional management.
The university operates an established Trade Union Committee (Kasaba uyushmasi qo‘mitasi), providing a representative mechanism through which employees can express their professional, economic and social interests. The committee functions within Uzbekistan's national trade union system and works with university management on matters concerning employee welfare, working conditions and the protection of labour rights.
A significant demonstration of institutional recognition took place on 28 April 2025, when Termez State University convened its Trade Union Reporting and Election Conference. The event brought together representatives of the national and Surkhandarya regional councils of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, university leadership and elected delegates from academic faculties, departments and administrative units.
During the conference, the Trade Union Committee presented its activity report covering 2020–2025, providing an opportunity to review the organisation's work and representative responsibilities. Delegates elected members of the Trade Union Committee and its Audit Commission through open voting, while the chairperson was selected through a competitive secret-ballot procedure. Samat Nishonovich Nishonov was re-elected as Chairperson, ensuring continuity of the university's employee representation structure.
These democratic procedures demonstrate that employees are represented through an established organisation with elected leadership, rather than relying exclusively on administrative appointments.
The university's labour-rights framework is based on the principles of voluntary association, non-discrimination and equal treatment. Employees are entitled to join, participate in or refrain from joining trade unions without their membership decisions becoming grounds for adverse employment treatment. These protections are particularly relevant to ensuring that women and employees in different professional categories can exercise their rights on an equal basis.
The same legal principles extend to international academic and professional employees working under applicable employment arrangements. Uzbekistan's Labour Code recognises comparable labour rights for foreign nationals and stateless persons, subject to statutory exceptions. The university's Fair Employment Policy reinforces this framework through provisions against discrimination based on sex, nationality and other protected characteristics.
Collective Bargaining and Employee Participation
Collective bargaining forms an essential component of the labour-rights framework governing the university's employment relations. Under Uzbekistan's Labour Code, employee representatives and employers have the right to initiate collective negotiations concerning employment conditions and collective agreements.
The university recognises its Trade Union Committee as an established employee representative organisation within this framework. The legal mechanisms for collective bargaining provide opportunities for representatives to address matters such as remuneration, working hours, occupational safety, employment protections, social benefits and workplace welfare through negotiations with the employer.
Institutional legal support strengthens employees' ability to exercise these rights. The university's legal service assists trade union representatives in matters concerning labour legislation, employment disputes and the interpretation of applicable regulations. Employees also have access to institutional complaint and appeal arrangements, allowing them to raise concerns about workplace treatment, remuneration and possible violations of employment rights.
The university's commitment to employee protection is supported by national legislation, particularly Article 37 and Articles 60–62 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with Law No. O‘RQ-588 of 6 December 2019, On Trade Unions. These provisions establish the legal basis for independent employee organisation, freedom of association, collective negotiations and safeguards against interference with lawful trade union activities.
The university's wider governance framework provides additional mechanisms for employee protection. Its compliance and integrity system includes confidential reporting channels, procedures for reviewing complaints and internal conduct requirements applicable to academic, administrative and technical personnel.
Termez State University's established trade union structure, democratic representation procedures and institutional employment policies provide a foundation for protecting labour rights and facilitating constructive engagement between employees and university leadership. By recognising freedom of association and the legal right to collective bargaining, the university supports fair employment practices, inclusive participation and responsible institutional governance in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.