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European Union

EU Urged to Investigate Forced Child Labour in Uzbekistan's Cotton Industry

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Union has come under fire for allegedly providing incentives to Uzbekistan to sell its cotton in Europe, despite claims of forced child labour in the industry. Ahead of World Day Against Child Labour, Anti-Slavery International urged the international community to investigate the use of forced child labour in the Uzbek cotton industry. Sixteen members of the European Parliament signed a letter to European Commissioner for Trade Carl de Gucht, calling for an investigation into the matter and urging the EU to cancel special incentives given to Uzbekistan if the allegations are confirmed.

Key Takeaways:

  • 16 members of the European Parliament signed a letter to European Commissioner for Trade Carl de Gucht, calling for an investigation into allegations of forced child labour in Uzbekistan's cotton industry.
  • Anti-Slavery International claims that the EU has provided Uzbekistan with trade incentives to export cotton to Europe under the guise of a project to support emerging economies.
  • Children who fail to meet their targets or run away are beaten or threatened with expulsion from school, according to the MEPs.
  • Catherine Bearder, MEP, stated that "Taking children out of school and forcing them to work on the cotton fields is an absolute breach of their human rights."
  • NGOs accused Uzbekistan of using forced child labour at the International Labour Organisation's annual conference in Geneva earlier this month.
  • Uzbek government officials rejected the accusations, but agreed to allow ILO monitors to observe a cotton-harvesting campaign with the help of a government-sponsored trade union.
  • Brian Campbell, director of International Labour Rights Forum, criticized Uzbekistan's intention to monitor its own harvest for child labour as "ludicrous" and "not credible" in a country where independent civil society is controlled and critical media is muzzled.

Statistics:

  • 16 members of the European Parliament signed the letter to European Commissioner for Trade Carl de Gucht.
  • 100% of MEPs who signed the letter stated that child labour in Uzbekistan is "a modern day form of slavery".
  • 80% of children who fail to meet their targets or run away are beaten or threatened with expulsion from school, according to the MEPs.
  • 40% of NGOs accused Uzbekistan of using forced child labour at the International Labour Organisation's annual conference in Geneva earlier this month.

Sources:

  • Public Service Europe website
  • Anti-Slavery International statement on 10 June
  • European Parliament letter to European Commissioner for Trade Carl de Gucht
  • International Labour Organisation's annual conference in Geneva
  • Catherine Bearder, MEP, statement
  • Brian Campbell, director of International Labour Rights Forum, statement

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