Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – At the latest plenary session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the draft law “On state social insurance” was conceptually reviewed and adopted in its first reading.

This bill is significant as it aims to regulate relations within the state social insurance system, its organization, and the disbursement of insurance payments.

The draft law specifies the following types of benefits to be paid under state social insurance:

• Sickness Benefit: Paid for the period of incapacity due to illness of workers.
• Maternity Benefit: Paid to women during pregnancy and after childbirth.
• Unemployment Benefit: Paid to citizens during periods of temporary unemployment.

The draft law also includes the introduction of a population insurance system through the Social Insurance Fund. Citizens will receive social support from the Fund in cases of temporary incapacity (due to illness, short-term treatment, childbirth) or loss of employment.

The draft law proposes the phased introduction of new measures:

• First Phase: Starting from 1 July 2025, maternity benefits will be paid to all insured women, regardless of their type of employment and insurance source.
• Second Phase: From 1 January 2026, sickness benefits will be paid to all insured individuals, regardless of their employment and insurance source.
• Third Phase: Based on presidential decrees, it is planned to introduce unemployment benefits and other types of payments to insured persons.

Deputies noted that the adoption of the draft law will ensure full payment of sickness, maternity, and severance benefits to workers, regardless of their type of activity. This will also prevent the socially active population from falling into the category of poor families.

During the discussions, deputies expressed their opinions on the draft law and made several recommendations for its improvement.

As a result, the draft law was conceptually adopted by the deputies in the first reading.