Senate approves law mandating medical screening for citizens who spend over 90 days abroad

At the 9th plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, senators approved the law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts.

The law introduces a number of changes and additions to the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Combating the Spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Infection)”, “On Private Employment Agencies”, and “On Employment of the Population.”

In particular, it establishes mandatory HIV testing for Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who have stayed abroad continuously for 90 days or more, for foreign nationals and stateless persons residing permanently in Uzbekistan, and for foreign nationals and stateless persons entering the country to work.

Uzbek citizens and stateless persons who permanently reside in the country will undergo mandatory screening at the expense of the state budget. Foreign nationals and stateless persons entering Uzbekistan for employment purposes, as well as foreign nationals permanently residing in the country, will be required to pay for the medical exam themselves, or have it covered by their employer or other legally permitted sources.

The law also stipulates that detection of HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis will constitute grounds for denial of a permit to engage in employment in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, the law adds a provision requiring private employment agencies to train individuals seeking work abroad on the rules of residence in the host country as a condition of licensing.

“This law is aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases dangerous to human health, protecting public health, and creating effective legal mechanisms to ensure social protection in the process of labor migration,” senators noted.