Uzbekistan Labor Code: guide for employers
The 2026 rules a foreign employer needs: contracts, probation, working time, leave, notice, dismissal and minimum wage under the Labor Code of Uzbekistan.
Labor Code essentials (2026)
- Working week
- 40 hours
- Annual paid leave
- At least 15 working days; public holidays come on top
- Probation
- Up to 3 months; up to 6 months for heads of organisations, their deputies and chief accountants
- Notice
- 2 weeks when the employee resigns; 3 days to 2 months when the employer ends the contract, depending on the ground
- Contract
- Written, and registered in the Unified National Labor System
Sources: Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Checked by Görkem Tan on 28 October 2026. A planning frame, not a quote: the proposal confirms the figures for your role.
The Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted on 28 October 2022 and has applied since 30 April 2023. It replaced the 1995 code. When you employ through EOR, Gini Talent applies these rules as the employer; this guide shows what they mean for your team. The full text is on lex.uz, the national legislation database.
Employment contracts
- The contract must be in writing, on paper or electronically, in at least two copies.
- Since 1 January 2020, contracts, changes and terminations are registered in the Unified National Labor System.
- Contracts are open-ended by default. A fixed-term contract is allowed for up to three years, or for a specific job, where an open-ended contract is not appropriate.
- The contract states the job, the place of work, the start date, the salary and the working time.
Probation
Probation must be written into the contract; otherwise the person is hired without one. It may last up to three months, or up to six months for heads of organisations, their deputies and chief accountants. Probation counts towards length of service. It does not apply to some groups, including pregnant women, women with children under three, people under 18 and fixed-term contracts of up to six months. During probation either side can end the contract with three days’ written notice; the employer only if the result is unsatisfactory.
Working time
The standard working week is 40 hours. Overtime, night work and work on days off are limited and paid at higher rates set in the Labor Code and the contract. We write the working time and overtime terms into each contract.
Leave and public holidays
- Annual paid leave is at least 15 working days. Public holidays falling within the leave are not counted.
- Employees under 18 and people with group I or II disabilities receive longer leave.
- Some jobs and longer service add extra days.
- Sick leave and maternity leave are paid under the social insurance rules; the amount depends on the case.
Ending employment
| Who ends it and why | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Employee resigns | 2 weeks, in writing |
| Employer: redundancy, restructuring or liquidation | 2 months |
| Employer: lack of qualification or health reasons | 2 weeks |
| Employer: the employee’s misconduct | 3 days |
| Either side during probation | 3 days |
Notice can be replaced by pay in lieu if both sides agree. Severance depends entirely on the ground for dismissal; it is not paid when an employee is dismissed for misconduct. At offboarding we calculate the final settlement: salary to the last day, unused leave and any severance due.
Minimum wage
From 1 September 2026 the minimum wage is UZS 1,360,000 a month, up from UZS 1,271,000. No full-time salary can be lower.
Payroll taxes
Personal income tax for residents is 12%, withheld from pay; the employer pays 12% social tax on top. Both are set in the Tax Code (Articles 381 and 405). See payroll in Uzbekistan and the cost example.
Foreign employees
Foreign nationals usually need a work-permit confirmation before they start. The categories, exemptions and fees are on work permits in Uzbekistan.
This guide is a summary for planning, not legal advice. The Labor Code is amended from time to time; we update this page when it changes. To employ someone under these rules without your own company, request an EOR proposal.
Questions companies ask
Which law governs employment in Uzbekistan?
The Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted on 28 October 2022 and in force since 30 April 2023. Foreign employees are also covered by the Law on Employment of the Population, which sets the work-permit rules.
How long can probation last?
Up to three months, or up to six months for heads of organisations, their deputies and chief accountants. Probation must be written into the contract. During probation either side can end the contract with three days’ written notice.
How much notice is required?
An employee resigns with two weeks’ written notice. When the employer ends the contract, notice runs from three days to two months depending on the ground: two months for redundancy or liquidation, two weeks for lack of qualification or health reasons.
Request an EOR proposal for your team in Uzbekistan
Tell us whether candidates are ready, the role, the headcount and the target start. We confirm fit before we send a proposal.