I. General Provisions

 

1.1. This Policy reaffirms the ISFT Institute’s commitment to prevent and eliminate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour, fully aligning with the Labour Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Law “On Combatting Human Trafficking,” the Law “On Guarantees of the Rights of the Child,” the Constitution of Uzbekistan, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Palermo Protocol (2000), and ILO Conventions No. 29, 105, 138, and 182, all ratified by Uzbekistan.

1.2. This Policy applies to all employees, faculty, administrative staff, contractors, interns, volunteers, and students, as well as partner organizations collaborating with ISFT.

1.3. The Institute strictly prohibits any form of coerced labour, exploitation, unsafe or degrading working conditions, involuntary work, debt bondage, or actions that restrict an individual’s freedom of movement, consent, or dignity.

1.4. The Institute bans the employment or engagement of individuals below the legally permitted working age (16), consistent with ILO Convention No. 138 and national child protection legislation.

1.5. No person may be forced to work through threats, psychological pressure, deception, debt obligations, manipulation, abuse of authority, or confiscation of identity documents.

1.6. The Institute strictly prohibits the involvement of students in unpaid, forced, or compulsory labour, including mandatory participation in cleaning, construction, fundraising, or other non-academic activities.

1.7. All reports, investigations, and personal data regarding suspected labour exploitation or trafficking are confidential and processed solely for legal and administrative purposes.

 

II. Key Concepts

 

Forced Labour: Any work performed involuntarily and under threat of penalty, as defined in ILO Convention No. 29.

 

Modern Slavery: Practices involving exploitation, forced labour, debt bondage, servitude, psychological coercion, or restricting freedom of movement.

 

Human Trafficking: Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons for exploitation according to the Palermo Protocol.

 

Child Labour: Employment or engagement of persons below the minimum legal age (16), or any hazardous work performed by persons under 18.

 

Coercion: Any action—physical, psychological, financial, or administrative—that restricts free and informed consent.

 

Student Labour: Any work performed by students in connection with academic activities must be voluntary, safe, and non-exploitative.

 

III. Goals and Objectives

 

3.1. To prevent all forms of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour within the ISFT Institute’s operations, workforce, academic activities, and partnerships.

3.2. To ensure a safe, transparent, and ethical working and learning environment where all individuals act voluntarily and free from coercion.

3.3. To protect the rights and dignity of employees and students by establishing robust prevention and monitoring mechanisms.

3.4. To promote awareness and understanding of human trafficking, labour exploitation, and child protection among staff and students through training, seminars, and educational programs.

3.5. To ensure that no form of discrimination, punishment, or retaliation is imposed on anyone refusing forced labour or reporting violations.

 

IV. Measures

 

4.1. ISFT ensures that all forms of labour, whether administrative, academic, technical, student-related, or others, are voluntary and based on freely given consent.

4.2. The Institute strictly prohibits withholding passports, ID cards, diplomas, work permits, or any other personal documents.

4.3. All staff must receive contracts clearly stating their duties, working conditions, salary, benefits, and rights, written in a language they understand.

4.4. ISFT prohibits hiring individuals under the age of 16, involving individuals aged 16–18 in dangerous or excessive work, and using minors in any form of forced or unofficial tasks.

4.5. ISFT strictly forbids requiring students to perform unpaid manual work, forcing them to participate in institutional tasks unrelated to education, coercing them into volunteering or event participation, and exploiting them during internships or academic practice programs.

4.6. Vendors, service providers, and partner institutions must comply with national labour law, this Policy, and international labour standards. Contracts may be terminated for violations.

4.7. If a suspected case arises, the individual is immediately removed from harm, provided with psychological, academic, or administrative support, and the case is referred to the appropriate authorities.

 

 

V. Disciplinary Actions

 

5.1. Any employee, contractor, supervisor, or student involved in forced labour, exploitation, coercion or presenting *abnormal worker behaviour (see below) will face disciplinary actions and may be referred to national authorities.

5.2. Disciplinary actions may include a written warning, suspension, termination of employment or academic status, and blacklisting from future cooperation.

5.3. Individuals who report violations in good faith are protected from any form of retaliation, discrimination, or professional/academic consequences.

*Abnormal Worker Behaviour:

 

            - Appear fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense or paranoid

            - Exhibits unusual behaviour if topic of law enforcement is raised

            - Avoids eye contact, even when requested

            - Lacks medical care and/or has been denied medical services by employer

            - Appears malnourished or shows signs of exposure to harmful chemicals

            - Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, restraint, confinement, or torture

            - No sense of time – cannot identify what day it is

 

VI. Final Provisions

 

6.1. This Policy is approved by the ISFT Institute Council and enters into force on the date of approval.

6.2. The Policy shall be reviewed every two years or sooner if national legislation or international standards change.

6.3. The HR Department, Academic Affairs Office, Student Affairs, and the Institute Board jointly oversee monitoring, training, and compliance.

6.4. This Policy applies to all employees, academic staff, administrative staff, contractors, interns, student workers, volunteers, and all individuals participating in ISFT activities.

The Uzbek language version of the Policy shall prevail in terms of legal force