The call comes after a report released by the Uzbekistan Human Rights Forum, a frontline partner of the cotton movement, highlighting the financial difficulties faced by Uzbekistan farmers and the persistence of forced labour risks due to government control over cotton harvests.
According to the title “There are a lot of cotton, but no one can choose to report,” farmers are working hard to pay for competing wages for voluntary goods due to economic pressure and government intervention.
The report shows that mandatory practices continue in cotton production systems despite the abolition of systemic forced labor. Midway through the 2024 harvest, the government lowered the price of cotton companies paying for crops, ignoring the existing contract between farmers and the company.
Allison Gill, legal director at Global Labor Justice, which hosts the Cotton Campaign, stated: “In the three years since Uzbekistan ended the use of systemic forced labour in the annual cotton harvest, forced labour and other labour rights risks still remain. Further reforms to guarantee freedom of association for farmers and workers are critical to protect the progress made so far, eliminated remaining forced labour risks, and move towards a truly sustainable industry. Such reforms will help to attract responsible sourcing, which in turn will further sustainable economic growth.”
Despite the privatization efforts, the Uzbekistan government has maintained a significant impact on farmers through the implementation of cotton production plans. Under pressure from senior authorities, local officials use mandate to meet quotas or extort money from hiring replacement pickers.
Although initial media reports of these incidents resulted in official statements prohibiting forced labor and subsequently reported cases decreased, the problem persisted.
According to the cotton movement, farmers’ economic conditions deteriorated in 2024, further limiting their ability to attract voluntary labor. The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented a new agreement that reduces the price paid to farmers without consultation.
Despite the introduction of subsidies to offset the loss of income, many farmers find them insufficient.
Local authorities put pressure on farmers to lower prices if they do not comply with unwelcome threats of cotton or loans.
The government’s intervention appears to be a response to cotton companies’ concerns that global price volatility affects their profitability. This move contradicts the progress in December 2023, when the presidential decree granted farmers more autonomy through futures contracts with cotton companies.
