Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Uzbekistan is experiencing rapid development in various economic sectors, accompanied by changes in the labor market. Technological advancements in the capital and major cities are improving the working environment, making flexible work schedules increasingly important for job seekers.

The World Confederation of Labor shared findings from its latest study, "The Work We Want," which surveyed 715 senior executives worldwide and interviewed leading business leaders and global talent experts to gain insights into the new world of work.

The study revealed that not only businesses are facing a turbulent market, but employee expectations regarding work are also changing significantly.

People are re-evaluating the role of work in their lives, with flexibility, autonomy, and freedom in the workplace becoming their priorities. The article presents the main findings of the study and analyzes how these trends manifest in Uzbekistan.

Three key trends changing the world of work were highlighted:

- 80% of senior executives state that talent planning has never been as challenging as it is now.

- 82% say that the approaches used for attracting and retaining talent in the past no longer meet their goals.

- 83% report that employees now value flexibility in choosing where and when to work as much as other factors, such as compensation.

Senior executives point out that digital transformation and employees’ desire for more flexible work methods will be the biggest challenges in talent planning over the next two years. However, the study also shows they face other issues: a talent shortage in the market, the so-called Great Resignation, talent migration, remote work, and employees’ growing willingness to change roles. Confronted with these challenges, 92% of senior executives say they will need a more flexible workforce in the next two years, and 88% plan to increase the use of temporary workers in response to market challenges.

What do we observe in Uzbekistan’s labor market?

"The main trends we observe in Uzbekistan’s labor market include the entry of many foreign businesses into the country and the development of national companies. The demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. There is a shortage of qualified personnel, forcing companies to bring in expatriates and compete for employees, leading to salary increases among established professionals and beginners alike. However, with a growing market (and consequently rising demand), such methods do not significantly reduce the shortage of qualified personnel. For skilled employees, Uzbekistan’s labor market is a candidate’s market. The practice of hiring temporary workers is not yet well-developed in Uzbekistan, although this trend is gaining momentum. At ANCOR, we are actively developing the practice of providing personnel for our clients’ projects to address various tasks," said Artem Brekinov, Director of Outsourcing at ANCOR Uzbekistan.

Organizations are becoming more open, and employees are changing jobs more easily — a benefit for both sides: employers can attract the necessary skills and knowledge as needed, and employees gain the opportunity to acquire diverse experiences and training. A popular solution for increasing workforce flexibility is engaging staffing agencies. 88% of surveyed organizations plan to increase the number of workers hired through agencies. This approach offers numerous benefits, including increased workforce flexibility and the ability to address unexpected resource shortages — critical in a rapidly changing business environment.

An important advantage of working with staffing agencies is access to digital skills that are hard to find for permanent hiring, as well as the ability to attract higher-level candidates on a project basis. Agencies also help prepare for planned changes in resource needs at certain times of the year. 79% of senior executives note that engaging agency staff with new technologies is an effective way to enhance the knowledge level of their permanent personnel.

"Working with agencies in Uzbekistan provides significant advantages in launching new business directions and hiring personnel quickly. For companies entering the market, it offers the possibility of swift recruitment through an agency with an established HR department, streamlined personnel administration processes, payroll calculations and payments, and interactions with government agencies. For large companies, the main benefits include flexibility in managing personnel numbers and the ability to offload a large volume of routine tasks from the HR department by delegating authority and responsibility to the agency under an outsourcing arrangement. By engaging agencies for merchandising, warehouse work, office outsourcing, and other functions, companies significantly increase their flexibility, reduce project launch and implementation times, and improve work quality," added Artem Brekinov, Director of Outsourcing at ANCOR Uzbekistan.

The Work We Want

Results from an independent study conducted by The Talentist, a staffing company ANCOR, in Uzbekistan in 2023 reveal that the ability to choose a flexible schedule is especially important for young people aged 16 to 24.

“The active development of several business sectors (marketplaces, aggregators) has led to the emergence and gradual popularization of platform-based employment in delivery and taxi services, where flexible work schedules are a key advantage. Growth in the B2C sales sector has increased demand for SMM specialists, marketers, photographers, recruiters, and other professionals, including companies willing to offer project-based work and piecework with flexible schedules.” – Artem Brekinov, Outsourcing Director at ANCOR Uzbekistan.

In the study by the World Confederation of Labour, most senior executives state that post-pandemic, employees place equal importance on flexibility regarding where and when they work as they do on salary and benefits. Employers must carefully consider before asking people to return to the office—especially when workers may feel that salaries lag behind the cost of living. The pandemic has changed the employment landscape. Initially, the shift to remote work was seen as a short-term solution to global issues, but it has led to long-term cultural changes. Flexibility benefits both staff and employers; however, it is crucial to balance business needs with individual preferences.

“In Uzbekistan, the pandemic has more significantly impacted the development of remote work formats than employment types. Office employees, whose work was previously inseparable from daily office attendance, now prefer a hybrid working mode. During the pandemic, most companies managed to adapt their business processes to allow employees to work remotely part-time.” – Artem Brekinov, Outsourcing Director at ANCOR Uzbekistan.

On the Uzbek labor market, job openings with flexible schedules and remote work are gradually gaining popularity, but their numbers are still modest compared to traditional office positions. Analysis of popular job websites shows that such vacancies are most in demand in IT, marketing, graphic design, translation, and administrative support.

Jobs with flexible working conditions are usually offered by international companies, startups, and some local firms seeking to attract young talent and provide competitive working conditions.

The job market will continue to evolve through the end of 2024 and beyond. In some areas, negative reactions to fully remote work will increase, but many employees will continue to prioritize flexibility to balance their work and life roles. Employers who fail to meet these expectations may miss out on talent and face difficulties due to the persistent shortage. Flexibility has become a necessary condition for both workers and employers.