— In our country, the "makhallabay" system was introduced for the first time. What is the nature of this position for you, how do you see and understand it?
— I will not be mistaken if I say that the assistants to the khokims were the first harbingers of the "makhallabay" system of work, introduced at the initiative of the Head of our state. All the efforts of the assistants to the khokims are aimed at providing employment for residents of the makhalla, developing the makhalla economy through the successful promotion of entrepreneurship, and reducing poverty. In general, the main task of the assistants to the khokims consists of directly solving the problems of citizens at the grassroots level and, ultimately, improving the standard of living of the people.
— Tell us more about yourself. Considering that you are a woman, are there any difficulties in performing the assigned tasks?
— I am Juraeva Lola Olimovna, was born on March 21, 1985 in the makhalla "Beruni" of the city of Kogon in an intelligent family. First I graduated from the agricultural professional College, and then from Bukhara State University in economics. I've started my career in the Department of Public Education of the city of Kogon, later worked as a chief accountant in the khokimiyat of Kogon district. In addition, I gave economics lessons to students of secondary schools and vocational colleges.
At present, not only men, but also women bear the burdens of the position of assistant to the khokim. Of course, it is a bit difficult for a woman. I accepted this position fully aware of all the responsibilities and difficulties. I think that, thanks to the opportunity given to me, I will contribute to solving the problems that torment our residents and help them improve their lives.
— How did you get started? Describe to us the "social portrait" of your makhalla with the help of figures and examples.
— I've started my activity as an assistant to the khokim by determining the economic state of the makhalla. I studied the gender composition, wishes and specialization of citizens, and then developed my plan to improve the economy of the makhalla.
There are 50 multi-storey houses in our makhalla. There are 946 apartments in them, where 2,518 residents live in 949 families. There are 1841 women in total, 878 young people. The driver of our makhalla is the service sector. Today, there are more than 30 areas of services on the territory of the makhalla. Catering facilities of Zafar Omad LLC, as well as service points belonging to the private enterprise Billur Service Bukhara, are considered leaders in this direction. In addition, there are many women artisans in our makhalla. Due to the lack of household plots in the region, the population earns mainly by hired labor. There are no large industrial enterprises on the territory of the makhalla.
— How do you organize a dialogue with the population, are there many appeals? What issues do they mainly address? In what order are the problems solved?
— It should be noted that all families in the makhalla are different. They all have peculiar worldviews, traditions, and mentality. Considering this, communication with each resident requires an individual approach. Together with other officials of the makhalla, we determine ways to eliminate problems and take the necessary measures. I place most of the appeals considered at the regional and republican levels on the platform online-mahalla.uz . In order to address and qualitatively solve the problems of citizens and entrepreneurs, this platform provides for the possibility of sending appeals on behalf of individuals and legal entities directly to the relevant organizations. Most of the appeals of residents concerning the problems of social infrastructure have already found their solution to date. There are also many citizens who want to start their own business. Based on their needs, work on the allocation of subsidies or preferential loans is carried out online with the support of the assistant to the khokim within the makhalla. In order to ensure the employment of citizens who want to apply for existing vacancies, regional labor fairs are organized jointly with the city employment promotion center by publishing information about enterprises and organizations with vacancies.
— Tell us about the work to ensure the employment of residents of the makhalla, especially women.
— The makhalla has established a permanent dialogue with the unemployed and, thanks to this, measures are being taken to employ them. There are more unemployed women than unemployed men, and in our makhalla as well. The fact that I am also a woman has helped me a lot in conducting the processes of employment of unemployed women, establishing their entrepreneurial activities. I try to take care of women, carefully study their marital status, give the necessary recommendations and instructions, taking into account their capabilities.
In order to involve the low-income and those in need of social protection of citizens who are in the "Women's Notebook", "Iron Notebook" and "Youth Notebook" in profitable activities, a number of measures are being carried out to assist them through the effective use of available financial support tools. In particular, today 77 unemployed residents are employed in the makhalla, 89 residents are registered by the State Tax Committee as self-employed citizens. 43 residents were given recommendations on training in the profession and entrepreneurship. Most of them have special certificates today, and this has ensured their employment.
The mechanism of employment of citizens is also peculiar. First, I visit public and private sector organizations where there are vacancies, study the form of work, requirements, available conditions, and then take residents who want to work on a tour of these enterprises. If the offer is acceptable, after studying the working conditions, scope of work and other issues, an employment contract with the employer is concluded on a one-time or temporary basis. Even after they start working, I continue to monitor the satisfaction of our citizens with their work.
According to my recommendations, preferential loans in the amount of 730 million sums have been allocated for the implementation of 21 family entrepreneurship projects. 16 women registered in the "Women's Notebook" and "Youth Notebook" were given recommendations to receive subsidies for the purchase of equipment and working tools necessary for sewing, confectionery, handicraft activities.
To date, the number of women artisans operating on the territory of the mahalla has increased by 13, and now there are 25 of them. The leading craftswoman Bashorat Nazhimova has already taught the craft to 5 unemployed women, and currently teaches 6 more. This craftswoman makes national costumes. On the basis of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 252 dated May 11, 2022, she was allocated a subsidy under the Master-Apprentice system. Former students of Bashorat Nazhimova are currently registered as independent artisans and have opened their own business, bringing additional income to their families.
In particular, Dilnoza Islamova, having mastered the craft of tailoring national costumes, manufactures and buys women's national costumes on the basis of an agreement with entrepreneurs engaged in trading activities in the central market of Bukhara, which brings her a monthly income of several million sums. Also, there is Mukaddas Khasanova who began her activity in the direction of manufacturing gold embroidery products, thanks to which she receives a good income.
To create comfort for women, I attracted a leading entrepreneur producing confectionery products in a neighboring makhalla to an empty facility. Currently, this entrepreneur has opened a confectionery shop called "Asalari", where 4 unemployed women are employed, and 6 are trained in the craft for free. In December 2022, in connection with the expansion of this workshop, a new business entity was created on the territory, the number of jobs increased.
— What are the main problems and causes of poverty in makhalla? What else do you think needs to be done to solve the problems?
— I believe that the ability to effectively use the available opportunities and resources is the most effective way to reduce poverty. Together with the responsible people of makhalla, we are doing proper work to improve the standard of living of citizens, ensuring their social and economic protection. First of all, the cause of poverty is being studied. Then measures are determined to lift residents out of poverty. To date, according to monitoring data, it has been established that in most poor families, members are persons with disabilities, pensioners and women caring for children.
The reforms carried out by our state to reduce poverty mainly provide for human interests. A striking example is subsidies, financial assistance, preferential loans allocated for the unemployed and low-income citizens. The availability of a system of training unemployed citizens in professions in demand on the labor market on a free basis is also an action aimed at increasing the employment of the population and at the same time its income.
— Tell us briefly about your plans and new projects for 2023.
— In the course of further activities, we plan to develop the driver of our mahalla, that is, the service sector. To do this, I envisage introducing a concept developed for the development of the makhalla economy and the creation of new jobs through the introduction of modern (innovative) types of services, for example, cleaning services, an online museum, photo studios, psychological offices, new tourist services, using the opportunities and resources available in the makhalla.
— Today in our country there is a tough fight against any forms of corruption. What are you doing to prevent such cases in your activities?
— There should be transparency and openness among citizens and officials to avoid corruption. Makhalla activists and, in general, the population will be provided with reports on the work carried out and the measures taken. Field receptions will also be held with the participation of the head of the sector in the makhalla, the People's Reception Office and the representatives of law enforcement agencies. All these measures will also serve to increase the legal literacy of the population and, ultimately, to prevent corruption.
— How are your activities treated in the makhalla? What kind of help do you need to continue working more efficiently?
— I feel the need to work more on myself, enrich my knowledge in new directions, and share my entrepreneurial experience. I consider it my duty to work tirelessly to fulfill the tasks set by the head of our state in a rapidly developing era. Recently, thanks to my work on solving women's problems, I was nominated as the "Best assistant to the khokim" and received a "Gift from the President" — a new car. This is a big incentive for me. All the positive results and achievements in our activities are not only my merit. I consider this to be the result of the makhalla residents' faith in me and their blessings. I was pleased to see the support, sincere, warm wishes and joy of the residents of our makhalla. To benefit people is a great happiness!
Jamoliddin Turdimov, CERR
"Economic Review" Journal №1/2023
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