The Senate Committee for Science, Education, Culture and Sport held a seminar on protection of human interests and improvement of the social protection system, UzA reported.

During the seminar it was noted that from the very early days of independence, the Government of Uzbekistan has pursued a strong policy of social protection aimed at consistent and targeted raising of the income levels and improvement of the livelihood of people, and provision of addressed social support to the most vulnerable groups of population – pensioners, people with disabilities, single seniors, and needy families.

Seminar participants noted that on every step of the economic reforms, social protection of the population was defined by the state as priority task. Since 1997, every year in Uzbekistan was given a theme which envisaged the implementation of specific measures, and solution of specific social tasks. The legislative base and the mechanisms of social protection are constantly developed. From year to year, the volume of appropriations from the state budget for social protection of the population is increased. Apart from the budget expenses, the Government passes special resolutions on addressed social protection and social support of single senior citizens, pensioners and people with disabilities on annual basis.

The large-scale measures on social protection of the socially vulnerable groups of population being implemented within the frame of the "Year of Social Protection" State Programme, and the decrees of the President of Uzbekistan of 19 March 2007 "On measures to further improve and strengthen the system of social protection of the population" and of 17 September 2007 "On measures to strengthen social protection of pensioners" emphasize the special topicality and urgency of the tasks stated by the President.

This year total appropriations from the state budget to social sphere and for social support of the population make up 54.3%, and the volume of appropriations for social allowances to families, including those with children make up 7%. As a result of the implementation of state social policy the differentiated approach in provision of aid to needy families and individuals becomes more efficient. Besides, the existing needs and problems of each category of socially vulnerable groups of population are studied, if possible satisfied.

During the seminar it was noted that strong efforts are being put by the citizens’ self-government bodies – mahallas (communities) to provide social support to the population and reinforce social justice.

Seminar participants emphasized that the priority task is still the support of different categories of population, particularly those in need of social protection – families with several children, needy families, single senior citizens, orphans, and people with disabilities, students and pensioners. This determines the strengthening of the atmosphere of kindness, mutual understanding, peace and stability in the society. Suggestions were made to raise the efficiency of the social protection system and improve the existing regulatory acts.

Among the participants of the meeting were senators, the representatives of the Ministries of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Justice, and Healthcare, Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, the Society of People with Disabilities, Mahalla Foundation, and other nongovernmental nonprofit and public organizations.