Government agencies to reduce workforce following digitalization decree

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree titled “On measures to optimize the number of managerial staff units through the broad introduction of digitalization in the activities of republican executive authorities.”

The decision aims to support ongoing large-scale reforms that introduce modern market mechanisms into the operations of government bodies, expand the use of digital technologies, and engage the private sector in performing public functions.

Under the decree, 2,141 positions will be cut across republican executive bodies, and the number of deputy heads in committees, agencies, and inspections will be reduced by 16.

For instance, staff reductions will include 224 employees at the Ministry of Water Resources, 218 at the Ministry of Agriculture, 197 at the Ministry of Justice, 176 at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, and 163 at the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction.

The State Tax Committee will see the largest reduction – 486 employees – while the State Assets Management Agency will downsize by 65.

The number of deputy heads will also be nearly halved: from 11 to 7 in committees, from 12 to 6 in agencies, and from 13 to 7 in inspections.

As a result, the total number of employees in republican bodies funded from the state budget will decrease to 43,332, and those financed through off-budget funds will be reduced to 3,657.

Responsible authorities have been instructed to establish commissions to optimize staffing in central offices and subordinate organizations and to approve a list of positions to be eliminated.

The decree mandates strict adherence to labor legislation in handling employment relations with affected staff and emphasizes the protection of their labor rights.

The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, together with the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, has been tasked with facilitating job placement for employees whose positions are being cut.