The Senate today, Oct. 2 approved a bill that adds a new provision to the Labor Code prohibiting sexual harassment in employment and occupation.
The bill, considered at the Senate's plenary session, also amends the Labor Code to classify discrimination based on "skin color" and "political views" as discrimination in employment and occupation. A new Article 8-1 will be added to the code to prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace and in occupational settings.
Orzigul Muydinova, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women, Culture and Sports Issues, said that under the proposed provision, unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that offends a person's honor and dignity will be treated as sexual harassment. Such conduct includes comments on a person's appearance or figure, gestures, touching and sexual advances.
Employers will be required to take all necessary steps to ensure a workplace free of sexual harassment. They must also set up mechanisms that let employees report such incidents safely and confidentially, and ensure that each complaint is reviewed impartially.
Muydinova said the number of administrative cases involving sexual harassment rose sharply in 2024-2025. In 2024, 2,106 people were held liable in 2,009 cases, and the figure rose by nearly 23% in 2025. In the first half of 2026, courts held 1,293 people liable in 1,240 cases.
"Of course, not all of these offenses took place in the workplace, but the figures show how pressing the issue is," the senator said.
She said that as part of the legislative initiative, lawmakers also studied best practices in other countries and international organizations, analyzing labor legislation in the United States, Britain, France, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and several other countries. Those countries, she noted, also have provisions that add further grounds for discrimination in employment and ban sexual harassment.
Senators said the law would help create equal opportunities for all citizens in employment, prevent all forms of discrimination and strengthen guarantees of citizens' labor rights.
