On February 2, President of Uzbekistan signed a decree "On additional measures to improve the mechanism of paying wages, pensions, allowances and stipends".

This resolution was adopted following the critical analysis of the existing situation in the provinces related to payment of wages, pensions, allowances and stipends. Apart from this, the analysis of letters sent to the President’s virtual reception has revealed frequent cases of late payment of wages, pensions, allowances and stipends, unjustified payment of sums to bank cards, and related shortage of points of sale (bank card terminals) and ATMs.

From the moment of launching of the President’s Virtual reception (on 27 September 2016) over 7000 letter containing such complaints were sent to the reception.

In order to eliminate such negative situation the decree stipulates that, starting from February 2017:

Firstly. The payment of pensions should be made in cash in full without any restrictions.

Secondly. Payment of wages to workers of budget financed organizations located in 58 mountainous and remote districts, as well as social benefits to residents of these districts are to be made in cash in full without any restrictions.

Thirdly. Stipends to students of higher educational institutions shall be paid not less than 50 per cent in cash.

Strict instructions have been given to the Ministry of Finance, Pension Fund and postal organizations to ensure regular payment of pensions not later than the 27th day of the month.

In the near future the Central Bank shall organize the activities of commercial banks in a way to eliminate the existing violations and shortcomings in relation to the payment of wages, pensions, allowances and stipends and similar payments. Business entities on their demand should be able to withdraw funds from accounts without restrictions.

Timely and full payment of wages, pensions, allowances and stipends shall be monitored by the General Prosecutor's Office, which will also examine the practical application of the rules to prosecute officials of commercial banks for violation of the established procedure.

Implementation of the President’s decree should help to correct the situation with payments of salaries, pensions, allowances and stipends and similar payments, and will contribute to the full realization of the legitimate rights of citizens to get their money in a convenient form for them.