President Shavkat Mirziyoyev became acquainted with the presentation on measures to reduce poverty and improve the social protection system on August 14 here.
Every country goes through a phase of reducing poverty in its development process. Uzbekistan also acknowledged in 2020 that a certain part of the population was in poverty and began to assist them. Financial-organizational measures were taken, and a system was implemented. This brought effectiveness, improving the conditions of more than 3 million people who had been in difficult situations for many years. The level of poverty decreased from 17 percent to 11 percent.
The goal for the next three years is to reduce the poverty level from 11 percent to 7 percent. With the current system, it is difficult to enhance effectiveness. There is a lack of precision in selecting poor families, in lifting them out of this state, and in allocating funds.
At a meeting held on July 12 of this year in Fergana region, our state leader mentioned the need for new approaches, saying now poverty reduction and social protection should be in one system.
The presentation reviewed proposals for developing these two areas in a balanced way.
Accordingly, based on analyses, criteria for identifying poverty and a targeted list will be formed. Among other things, this will include people from the "Unified Social Protection Registry" and those at high risk of falling into poverty. Such families will be approved through voting by "neighborhood committees" and activists. All social services and aid aimed at lifting people out of poverty will be implemented by "Human" centers.
To study the factors of poverty, a single questionnaire in 8 directions will be developed for social protection and employment issues. Based on this, families' capabilities will be assessed, and they will be divided into 3 categories. Each family will receive individual support to help them "get back on their feet".
Accordingly, a list of neighborhoods with high levels of poverty will also be formed. The National Agency for Social Protection and local administrations will select 50 neighborhoods annually to transform them into areas free of poverty and unemployment.
Currently, more than 20 tasks are assigned to deputy mayors. Therefore, the issue of poverty reduction has fallen to a secondary level. Now the activities of deputy mayors will be reviewed, with primary attention focused on poverty alleviation and ensuring their employment.
Every year, 14 trillion sums are allocated for poverty reduction. However, this fund is distributed through 40 types of financial tools by nearly ten different agencies, lacking a unified approach. Therefore, this system will also be changed. Funds will be distributed by the Agency and local administrations, based on the number of poor families in the region, district, and neighborhoods. First and foremost, the funds will be directed to lift families out of poverty.
Monitoring of the implementation of programs aimed at poverty reduction will be organized in 3 stages – at the neighborhood and district, regional, and republican levels. Public control in this area will be strengthened.
Instead of the practice of reserving jobs, tax incentives will be introduced for entrepreneurs who employ needy individuals. Vacancies will be fully digitized. An online platform connecting the client to artisans and freelancers will be established. At "Welcome to Work" service centers, poor citizens will be taught modern professions in the service sector.
- In recent years, drawing conclusions from accumulated experience and the needs of people, it is necessary to move poverty reduction to a new level. It is necessary to support the desires and opportunities of people in need, to integrate them into life, into society. In general, any social assistance should ultimately be linked to employment, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Officials were given instructions to ensure targeted and transparent social assistance, and to develop employment and small entrepreneurship.
