International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
24
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VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue01 2025
PAGE NO.
24-27
10.37547/ijhps/Volume05Issue01-07
Unemployment Issue and solutions in the rural areas of
the Uzbek SSR (1980-1991)
(A Case Study of Khorezm Region)
Allaberganov Ollabergan Arslanbekovich
Independent researcher at Urganch State University, assistant teacher at Mamun University, Uzbekistan
Received:
26 October 2024;
Accepted:
28 December 2024;
Published:
30 January 2025
Abstract:
In this article, the author examines the issues of unemployment among the population in the villages of
the Uzbek SSR between 1980 and 1991, and the factors, causes, problems, and conflicts that led to this
unemployment process, using the example of the Khorezm region. Also, the issues of unemployment among all
segments of the population, including adults and youth, are analyzed from a historical perspective.
Keywords:
Uzbek SSR, Khorezm, national economy, unemployment, law, agriculture, collective farm, pensioners,
problems and conflicts, complaints and applications.
Introduction:
It is well known that the political, social,
and economic processes and conflicts in the Soviet
Union during the 1980s and 1990s had a significant
impact on the life of the Uzbek SSR, including Khorezm
region. During the 1980s, the issue of unemployment in
Khorezm intensified. The region experienced the
dominance of cotton monoculture, stagnation in social
and economic life, the impracticality of the application
of developed socialism ideas, and the ineffectiveness of
perestroika. These issues drained the vitality of
ordinary people. Additionally, a number of reforms
aimed at increasing the availability of cheap labor
implemented by the Union led to the problem of
unemployment not only in the Soviet Union but also in
the Uzbek SSR. These events affected Khorezm as well.
METHODS
The issue of unemployment among the rural
population of the Uzbek SSR during the 1980-1991
period, especially in Khorezm, is a relatively under-
researched topic. Soviet-era works, such as the "History
of the Uzbek SSR" [1], post-independence research
inclu
ding M. Matniyozov’s "History of Khorezm" [2],
and Q. Rajabov’s work edited by him, "The Social and
Political Activity of the Leadership of the Uzbek SSR
(1945-1983)" [3], along with "75 Years of Mercy and
Compassion"
[4]
by A.
Mannopov
and
S.
Mirzaahmedova, provide some insights into the social
issues, conflicts, and unemployment faced by the rural
population of Khorezm during the 1980-1990s.
Furthermore, the study used archival materials from
the Khorezm Region State Archive (Fond 170 and Fond
651), "Khorezm Haqiqati" newspaper, and materials
from the journal "Uzbekistan Social Security" to explore
the issue. The research involved the use of methods
such as synchronous analysis, comparative historical
methods, and structural analysis[5].
Analysis and Findings
. Between 1980 and 1991, the key
issue in Khorezm region was providing employment
and creating new job opportunities. During this period,
the material and technical base of agriculture in
Khorezm was weak, and job opportunities were
insufficient. One of the main reasons for this, as
revealed during the analysis of archival documents, was
the sharp population increase, which exacerbated the
unemployment problem among both adults and young
people in Khorezm villages. Additionally, starting from
1970, in accordance with the decision of the Soviet
Ministers' Council dated December 31, 1969, elderly
people receiving pensions in Khorezm's districts and
cities were also involved in work in the national
economy when necessary, and a new procedure for
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2222)
pension payments to working pensioners was
introduced. As a result, the number of pensioners
working in Khorezm increased significantly, which
contributed to the rise in unemployment among the
general population[6].
Moreover, from an ideological standpoint, the number
of unemployed was deliberately concealed to avoid
damaging the Union’s international reputation. As a
result, it was difficult to register the full extent of
unemployment. The reports from the Khorezm region
labor department only recorded the efforts to place the
unemployed, but the total number of unemployed was
not fully disclosed. For example, as of January 1, 1980,
637 unemployed youth under the age of 29 in the
region expressed a desire to work, along with 1,093
unemployed people over the age of 29 [7]. By 1980, the
majority of the unemployed in Khorezm were women
with two or more children. These women stated that in
order for them to be employed, there should be
educational institutions where they could leave their
children. Among the unemployed, 575 were women
without any professional skills. In 1982, the labor
department of the region and district conducted a
series of measures to employ temporary unemployed
people and those working in household and personal
subsidiary farms, successfully employing a total of
1,000 people [8]. However, the unemployment
problem also spread among the youth, reflecting the
social and economic stagnation of the time. By
December 1, 1982, measures taken to address youth
unemployment resulted in 6,637 8th-10th grade
graduates being employed [9]. By 1984,
unemployment in the districts and villages of Khorezm
sharply increased. The district labor departments
organized the employment of the unemployed, with
most of them being male workers. The employment
rate of unemployed youth in Khorezm was 4,610 as of
December 1, 1984 [10], but by December 1, 1985, this
number decreased to 3,515 [11]. This indicates that the
regional and district labor departments were unable to
effectively
resolve
the
unemployment
issue.
Disturbingly, during this period, unemployment was
not limited to the youth; it also spread among adults.
The increase in the number of unemployed nationwide
further exacerbated the already difficult situation. By
the end of the 1980s, the number of unemployed in the
Uzbek SSR reached one million. The worsening socio-
economic conditions and the continuous increase in
unemployment led to rising crime, especially among
the youth [12]. The primary task of the Khorezm region
executive committee and the labor department was to
provide employment for the unemployed in the region.
However, during the winter months, it was particularly
difficult to provide jobs for the unemployed. By 1990,
the unemployment problem in the rural areas of
Khorezm became even more severe, as described in
archival documents: The majority of the unemployed at
this time were women with three or more children,
young people who had graduated from school, and
young people who were seeking employment under
the condition that they could leave their children at
pre-school institutions. The most viable solution to
employment during this period was to involve the
unemployed in agricultural work. For example, in
Khonqa district of Khorezm in 1990, contracts were
signed with 540 unemployed women, 292 of whom
were issued workbooks, while the remaining 248
women were illegally employed in agricultural work
[13].
Khorezm Region Unemployment Report as of August 1, 1990 [14]
Names of district
Unemployed population
in Khorezm region as of
August 1, 1990
1.
Urgench
2360
2.
Khiva
2249
3.
Shovot
1946
4.
Gurlan
1774
5.
Xonkha
2377
6.
Qoshkopir
2808
7.
Yangibozor
916
8.
Khazorasp
6264
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2222)
9.
Bogot
2909
10.
Yangiarik
1844
Total unemployment:
25447
As of the end of 1990, a total of 25,447 unemployed
individuals resided in the region. By 1991, a series of
measures were introduced to address unemployment
and provide employment opportunities. Specifically,
the initial steps towards independence and the
achievement of independence contributed to the
creation of new job opportunities in Khorezm region.
The following table shows the job opportunities
created in the districts and rural areas of Khorezm
region during the first half and the end of 1991.
Table: Created Employment Opportunities in Khorezm Region in 1991
№
Names of cities and
districts
Jobs created to provide
employment
to
the
unemployed population
as of July 1, 1991 [15]
Jobs created to provide
employment
to
the
unemployed population as
of December 31, 1991 [16]
1.
Urgench
58
112
2.
Khiva
114
288
3.
Xonkha
483
570
4.
Khazorasp
226
423
5.
Shovot
799
848
6.
Gurlan
98
101
7.
Qoshkopir
295
554
8.
Bogot
401
564
9.
Yangiarik
119
185
10.
Yangibozor
42
149
Total :
2635
3794
By the end of 1991, the number of job opportunities
created for the unemployed in the Khorezm region had
increased, reaching a total of 3,794 across the districts,
as compared to 2,635 by July 1, 1991. These efforts
reflect the region's focus on providing jobs to the
growing unemployed population during the early
stages of Uzbekistan's independence.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, despite several social measures taken by
the Soviet government to improve the social conditions
of rural workers between 1980 and 1991, stagnation,
poverty, and unemployment remained prevalent in the
rural areas of the Uzbek SSR. In particular, the rapid
population growth in the rural regions of Uzbekistan,
especially in Khorezm, exacerbated the problem of
unemployment. One of the key factors contributing to
the increase in unemployment was the December 31,
1969, decision by the Soviet Council of Ministers, which
allowed pensioners in the Khorezm region to continue
working while receiving full or partial pensions. This
policy, though aimed at providing additional workforce
during economic necessity, ultimately led to an
increase in unemployment rates in the rural areas of
Khorezm during the 1980s and 1990s.
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