Cotton Campaign: Uzbekistan needs an independent civil society
28/01/2021 15:54
Cotton Campaign: Uzbekistan needs an independent civil society
28/01/2021 15:54
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Cotton Campaign stated that Uzbekistan needs a strong independent civil society to create an enabling environment for strict monitoring and enforcement of cotton supply chain standards.
The International Cotton Campaign has published a statement on the results of monitoring the 2020 cotton campaign in Uzbekistan.
In a statement, the coalition hailed “significant progress” in ending forced labor during the cotton harvest last year in the country, noting that the Uzbek Human Rights Forum, for the first time in 10 years, has not documented a single case of forced labor in a number of cotton-growing regions.
At the same time, according to the Cotton Campaign, citing independent observers, during the campaign, there were cases of forced labor organized by officials, as well as cases when civil servants were obliged to pay part of their salaries to hire cotton pickers.
“Uzbekistan has the opportunity to become a reliable global supplier, but this will require transparent monitoring and management models so that brands and retailers can confirm responsible supplier selection,” Julia Hughes, President of the US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), said in a statement.
The coalition also notes that the transfer of cotton production from government control to control of cotton and textile clusters created "significant difficulties" for farmers. In the districts, the Cotton Campaign explains, there is one cluster, which deprives farmers of choice and control mechanisms for setting prices.
“Brands want to source products from countries with strong independent civil societies that can create an enabling environment to rigorously monitor and enforce supply chain standards,” the Cotton Campaign said in a statement.
According to the coalition, Uzbekistan’s reform process prioritizes privatization and enforcement rather than expanding opportunities for the development of civilian forces such as NGOs and independent trade unions. The coalition points out that the Code on Non-State Non-Profit Organizations has not yet been finalized, and the authorities continue to prevent the registration of independent NGOs.
“The Cotton Campaign considers it urgent for the Uzbek government to take steps this year to revise the NGO Code and allow independent NGOs to register in order for the country to meet international human rights standards and meet the expectations of the country’s international partners, including brands and investors,” summarized in the statement.
In April 2021, the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan, Nozim Khusanov, approached the Cotton Campaign with a request to lift the boycott on the use of cotton produced in the country. The coalition then replied that "brands need additional guarantees to protect workers’ rights."
The Cotton Campaign is an international coalition of labor and human rights organizations, investors and business organizations that aims to eradicate child and forced labor in cotton production. To date, over 300 industry brands and retailers have signed a pledge (The Uzbek Cotton Pledge), according to which they have agreed not to use Uzbek cotton until forced labor is eradicated in the country.
25/04/2024Read more
$ 1 | 12667.00 | +0.022% |
1 | 13481.49 | -2.022% |
₽ 1 | 135.77 | -0.506% |