The Cotton Campaign, a global coalition of human rights organizations, is urging the government of Uzbekistan to implement stronger reforms to combat forced labour in the country’s cotton industry.
Despite significant progress in recent years, a report from the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights highlights that coercive labour practices continue to affect cotton harvesting, especially in rural areas.
Although systemic forced labour was officially abolished, the report reveals that farmers still face financial pressures that lead them to rely on forced labour or coerced participation during harvest seasons.
One of the key factors contributing to these ongoing labour issues is the economic strain faced by cotton farmers. Local authorities continue to impose strict cotton quotas on farmers, along with rigid price controls that limit farmers’ ability to negotiate better terms. As a result, farmers are often forced to accept lower prices for their cotton, which exacerbates financial hardship and leads to the use of coerced labour to meet targets.
The Cotton Campaign emphasizes the importance of bolstering the existing reforms to ensure that cotton production in Uzbekistan is truly free from forced labour.
This includes guaranteeing workers’ rights to freedom of association and offering protections to those involved in the cotton industry. The coalition calls for increased government transparency, as well as support for farmers to improve their economic situation without resorting to exploitative practices.
Uzbekistan’s cotton industry is crucial to the country’s economy, but ensuring it becomes a sustainable and ethical source of employment is essential for human rights, as well as for meeting international sourcing standards.
The Cotton Campaign’s call for reform is aimed at fostering a more responsible and just industry, benefiting both workers and farmers in the long term.
