The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System UZBEKISTAN: STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM (P166447) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) May 14, 2019 1|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Republic of Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of Uzbekistan is planning to implement the Uzbekistan Social Protection Strengthening Program (the Project), with the involvement of the following: Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations (MELR). The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Government of Uzbekistan will implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out a summary of the material measures and actions. 3. Where the ESCP refers to specific plans or other documents, whether they have already been prepared or are to be developed, the ESCP requires compliance with all provisions of such plans or other documents. In particular, the ESCP requires compliance with the provisions set out in the Social Assessment based Social Management and Inclusion Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Labor Management Procedures that have been developed for the project. 4. The table below summarizes the material measures and actions that are required as well as the timing of the material measures and actions. The Government of Uzbekistan is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry, agency or unit referenced in 1. above. 5. implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Government of Uzbekistan as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 6. As agreed by the Association and the Government of Uzbekistan, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Government of Uzbekistan will agree to the changes with the Association and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Government of Uzbekistan. The Government of Uzbekistan will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 7. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Government of Uzbekistan shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts, which may include, inter alia: i) social exclusion risks – certain sections could get excluded either due to inherent structural deficiencies and/or due to elite capture; and (ii) institutional risks – inadequate capacity of MELR in ESS application. 2|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN DATE Summary of the Material Measures and Actions to Mitigate the Timeframe Responsibility / Date of Completion Project’s Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Authority and Resources/Funding Committed ESCP Monitoring and Reporting A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit regular monitoring Quarterly MELR On-going throughout Project reports on the implementation of the ESCP. implementation B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS NOTIFICATION: Promptly notify Promptly and no later MELR As required, throughout Project any incident or accident related or having an impact on the than 24 hours after implementation. Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse taking notice of the effect on the environment, the affected communities, the incident or accident. public or workers. Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken to address it, and include information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. SUMMARY ASSESSMENT ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Establish an organizational By effectiveness. MELR Within the specified timeframe structure with qualified staff to support management of E&S Thereafter maintained and maintained throughout risks including at least one social development officer and one throughout Project Project implementation. community liaison officer responsible for ensuring full implementation. compliance with the ESSs, ESCP and relevant instruments. Maintain the organizational structure as necessary throughout Project implementation. 3|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN DATE Summary of the Material Measures and Actions to Mitigate the Timeframe Responsibility / Date of Completion Project’s Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Authority and Resources/Funding Committed 1.2 SOCIAL MANAGEMENT/ Inclusion PLAN: Implement the Social Plan prepared to be MELR Throughout Project Management and Inclusion Plan prepared for the Project. implemented implementation. throughout Project implementation. 1.6 PERMIT, CONSENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS: Obtain or assist in On-going Throughout Proponents of sub- June 30, 2024 obtaining, as appropriate, the permits, consents and Project activities will apply for authorizations that are applicable to the Project from relevant implementation. needed permits, etc. national authorities. MELR to ensure Comply or cause to comply, as appropriate, with the conditions compliance through established in these permits, consents and authorizations SMF, Operations throughout Project implementation. Manual, and implementation Review 1.3 GBV AND SEA RISKS: Assess and manage the risks of gender- On-going Throughout MELR Throughout Project based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) Project implementation. on a semi-annual basis and draw measures as appropriate. implementation. 1.4 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: The terms of reference for studies, Throughout Project MELR Throughout Project capacity building and any other technical assistance provided implementation. implementation. under the Project will duly incorporate and take into consideration the requirements of the ESSs. 4|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN DATE Summary of the Material Measures and Actions to Mitigate the Timeframe Responsibility / Date of Completion Project’s Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Authority and Resources/Funding Committed ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES: Develop and thereafter LMP already prepared MELR LMP to be implemented implement labor management procedures (LMP). and to be throughout Project implemented implementation. throughout Project implementation. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS: Develop, To be established by MELR Operated throughout Project maintain and operate a grievance mechanism for Project September 30, 2019. implementation. workers, as described in the LMP. and operated throughout Project implementation. 2.3 PROJECT WORKERS TRAINING: Implement training of Project In accordance with MELR Throughout Project workers designed to heighten awareness of risks and to the Project’s annual implementation. mitigate impacts on local communities. Training Plan. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 5|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN DATE Summary of the Material Measures and Actions to Mitigate the Timeframe Responsibility / Date of Completion Project’s Potential Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Authority and Resources/Funding Committed 10.1 SEP PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION: implement the SEP already prepared MELR SEP implemented throughout Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) prepared for the Project and implemented Project implementation. and implemented throughout Project implementation. throughout Project implementation. 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM (GM): Develop, maintain GM to be established MELR GM established and operated and operate a grievance mechanism, as described in the SEP, by September 30, throughout Project with appropriate monitoring and reporting. 2019 and operated implementation. throughout Project implementation. 6|Page The World Bank Uzbekistan Strengthening the Social Protection System Capacity Support Specify Training to be provided Specify Targeted Groups and Specify Training Completed Timeframe for Delivery 1. Project’s Concept and Strategies and ESF PIU by MELR In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 2. SEP training of trainers to Regional Employment REDs by PIU / MELR In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be Departments prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 3. SEP training of trainers District Employment Centers In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 4. SEP training of trainers Hukumiyats and Mahallas and other In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be line agencies prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 5. GBV PIU, REDs and staff of Employment In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be Centers prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 6. Social and Environmental Audit MELR Staff responsible for In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be implementing ESF Instruments and prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. conducting Social and Environmental audits. 7. Conducting effective public meetings and consultations Mahalla Committees In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 8. Job Intermediation and Facilitation Private Sector Entities In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 9. Operation and Maintenance of the assets and facilities Employment Center staff In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 10. Enterprise Development Programs Local Unemployed Youth In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 11. Livelihood enhancement Programs Women In accordance with Annual Training Plan – to be prepared by January 1, 2020 and updated annually. 7|Page