TASHKENT, May 23. /Dunyo IA/.  A delegation from Uzbekistan, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Migration Agency, the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries, the Muslim Board, and the Youth Affairs Agency, paid a working visit to the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg, Tyumen and Tobolsk, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

With the assistance of the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg, negotiations were organized with the leadership of the Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions, relevant regional bodies, human rights ombudsmen institutions, major employers and compatriots in order to protect the rights and legitimate interests of Uzbek citizens.

Following the meetings, agreements were reached on establishing joint cooperation mechanisms for migration, information exchange, and the protection of citizens' rights, as well as launching a “hotline” at the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg. A memorandum of cooperation in the field of organized labour migration was also signed.

Special attention was paid to the living conditions and labour rights of Uzbek citizens, the educational adaptation of children, and preventative outreach work.

Meetings were held with employers and compatriots, covering around 3,000 citizens. With the assistance of the Consulate General, wage arrears totalling approximately USD 80,000 were settled, and 10 passports of Uzbek citizens illegally withheld by employers were recovered.