In recent years, thanks to the strong political will of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a completely new system of ensuring human rights and freedoms has been created in our country on the basis of large-scale reforms carried out to glorify human dignity and comprehensively protect their interests.
At the same time, the work on improving national legislation, bringing it into line with international standards, reforming agriculture and other sectors, the widespread application of market principles, mechanization of industry and decent payment were key factors in prevention of child and forced labor in our country.
One of the achievements of Uzbekistan over the past five years is the complete abolition of forced labor.
If we look at the results of the International Labor Organization's Third Party Monitoring report from 2019, it shows that since 2013 Uzbekistan has been achieving a gradual progress in eradication of forced labor. For instance, in 2015-2016, Cotton Campaign forced labor was 14 percent. From year to year this figure gradually decreased to 4 percent in 2020 and 1 percent in 2021.
Moreover, the government intensified law enforcement efforts in 2019. The number of staff of the Labor Inspectorate contributing to compliance during the harvest doubled from 200 to 400. The Labor Inspectorate investigated 1,282 forced labor cases during the 2019 cotton harvest.
Furthermore, ILO monitors confirmed that wages had increased compared to the previous harvest, which was another effective mechanism to eradicate the issue. Generally, cotton pickers received their wages on time and in full.
There is no exaggeration to say that the abolition of the global boycott against Uzbek cotton by the International Coalition Cotton Campaign was a vivid example of the effectiveness of large-scale reforms.
Legal and institutional reforms against forced labor
Uzbekistan has ratified 19 conventions and one protocol of the International Labor Organization with the aim of complementing the norms of international law into our national legislation.
According to Convention No. 29 of the International Labor Organization, forced labor is any work or service that people are forced to do against their will, under threat of punishment. In 2014, Uzbekistan became the first country in Central Asia to ratify Protocol No. 29 of the International Labor Organization on Forced Labor.
The national legislature system of Uzbekistan fully complies with international standards. Article No. 7 of the Labor Code of Uzbekistan defines forced labor as coercion to perform work under threat of any punishment.
The presidential decree "On additional measures to further improve the system of combating human trafficking and forced labor" issued July 30, 2019, has created a new system of coordination of stale bodies activities in the field of combating human trafficking and forced labor to increase the image of our country in the international arena.
The authority of Uzbekistan paid great attention to institutional reforms as well. According to the decree, the national commission and the national rapporteur institute on combating human trafficking and forced labor were established. Also, subcommissions were established to fight against human trafficking and forced labor.
In order to eliminate forced labor, legislation introduced norms that strengthen administrative liability and criminal liability.
One of the most effective measures was the implementation of criminal responsibility for the use of child labor and forced labor. In order to reform agriculture by reducing state participation in the cotton sector, the system of mandatory volumes of harvested cotton has been abolished.
Measures taken to combat forced labor
Monitoring of forced labor prevention is continued. In particular, for the first time since 2019, monitoring was conducted with full human rights defenders. In 2021, 17 independent observers were provided with badges to ensure unimpeded access to cotton fields.
At the same time, the international Labor Organizations Third Party Monitoring, National Monitoring by the Federation of Trade Unions, Monitoring of the Labor Inspectorate were conducted simultaneously.
Parliamentary oversight by senators and local deputies involving journalists and bloggers was set Representatives of civil society institutions and human rights activists were also widely involved in the monitoring.
The Uzbekistan media reported actively on forced labor issues in 2019. Journalists and bloggers were encouraged by the government to cover forced labor cases critically. The state labor inspectors have also started to investigate complaints about forced labor.
As a result of monitoring, administrative liability for forced labor was implemented against 259 people in 2019 (132 people during the cotton season), 103 people in 2020 (41 during cotton season) and 75 people in 2021 (five during cotton season).
It should be noted that thanks to the strong political will of the president of Uzbekistan, as well as the extensive work carried out with the active participation of representatives of civil society together with the International Labor Organization and tripartite partners of the National Commission on Combating Forced Labor, such successes have been achieved.
Touching upon future plans, the International Labor Organization announced in Uzbekistan its final conclusion in 2021 that during the cotton harvest season, systematic child labor and forced labor were not used at all, as well as monitoring works m this direction were completely transferred to the Uzbek side.
Earlier, Uzbekistans achievements in ending forced labor were noted by the US State Department. As a result, the international community highly appreciated the reforms carried out in this direction in our country.
While these results provide an opportunity to ensure human rights and develop the industry, particularly the cotton and textile industries, on the other hand, it lays a greater responsibility to maintain the achieved results which requires consistent continuation of systematic work in the field.
Now it is necessary not only to combat forced labor, but also to constantly monitor the creation of decent working conditions in all areas. In this regard, any incoming appeals and messages from social networks in the field of labor relations will not be ignored.
On June 25, 2020, a Global Report on Trafficking in Persons covering the situation in 192 countries was published. During the Trafficking in Persons Report launch ceremony, Mike Pompeo, then head of the US State Department, highlighted in his speech the great efforts of Uzbekistan in solving this problem are setting new standards for the countries of the region.
Despite the end of its boycott, Uzbekistan remained in the second tier in global reports such as Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (US State Department) and the Worst Forms of Child Labor (US Department of Labor).
One of the main recommendations in these reports is to monitor the forced labor and decent working conditions in other sectors of this economy -- silk production, construction, textile and catering
In this regard, it is important to improve the positions in the international community, to pay attention to expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and the International Labor Organization.
In September 2021 in cooperation with International Labor Organization, Uzbekistan Decent Work Country Program for 2021-2025 was adopted
The main focus of the program is on the principles of decent work, reduction of informal employment and issues of social protection in accordance with international standards.
It should be noted that in cooperation with the International Labor Organization, the analysis of working conditions in other sectors of the economy, as well as cases of forced labor are being studied.
According to a study conducted by the International Labor Organization in the field of silk in 2021, there are no cases of systematic involvement in forced labor in the silk industry, children are not involved in the cultivation of silkworms. Many consider the eating conditions in the workplace to be good or acceptable, and only 1 percent are known to be dissatisfied with the quality of the food. Three-quarters of the workers had employment contracts and were satisfied with the amount of wages.
Currently, these studies are being conducted in the field of construction. We are confident that the quality statistics obtained during the study on working conditions, including forced labor, will be a good source of information for the further development of effective policies in these sectors.
---
Nozim Khusanov is Uzbekistans minister of employment and labor relations and is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Combating Forced Labor
By Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
Read more:
Eradication of forced labor -- striking example of political will - The Korea Herald
- The Abolition of Work--Bob Black - Primitivism [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2016]
- Part I: The Abolition of Work - Inspiracy [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Bob Black - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Campaign for the Abolition of Terrier Work - Badger Baiting [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work Bob Black [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work & Other Essays by Bob Black ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- William Wilberforce: biography and bibliography [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- THE ABOLITION OF WORK - Deoxy [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work by Bob Black - Inspiracy [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2016]
- Campaign for the Abolition of Terrier Work - About Us [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- Abolition - The African-American Mosaic Exhibition ... [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2016]
- Granville Sharp (1735-1813) The Civil Servant, Abolition ... [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- Abolition of Work - scribd.com [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- THE ABOLITION OF WORK by Bob Black [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work and Other Essays: Bob Black ... [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- The Abolitionists: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Abolitionism - United States American History [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Nobel Peace Prize | Nobels fredspris [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Contract Labour Act, 1970 - Vakilno1.com [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- The Abolition of Man - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Abolition of the ESA Work-Related Activity Component ... [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Prison abolition movement - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- The Pro-Slavery Lobby: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- What is Slavery?: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work | The Base [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2017]
- Trump's Big Lie About 3 Million "Alien Voters" Cuts Far Deeper Than You Think - Truth-Out [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Equality in Democracy: Tocqueville's Prediction of a Falling America - CNSNews.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- The question employers are wary to ask: when are you going to retire? - The Conversation UK [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Indian Govt's Abolition of FIPB Will Help Spur Up Foreign Investments - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- High time for states to invest in alternatives to migrant detention - ReliefWeb [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Indian sex worker groups slam global conference on abolition of prostitution - Reuters [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Donald Trump 'taking steps to abolish Environmental Protection Agency' - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Exploiting black labor after the abolition of slavery - Baraboo News Republic [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Justice Ginsburg Backs Abolition Of The Electoral College - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- If alliance wins, making CMPof 2 manifestoes will be a task - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Effective abolition of child labour (DECLARATION) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Judicial review is government at work - The Independent Florida Alligator [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Did Darwin's theory of evolution encourage abolition of slavery ... - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Italy sets up fast-track asylum courts for migrants - The Local Italy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Take Five: Susan B. Anthony - The Sun Chronicle [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Pope Francis on death penalty - Philippine Star [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Protests as Iowa considers its own 'Scott Walker bill' - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Executives Reflect on Evolving GUSA - Georgetown University The Hoya [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Report: Improved school access in Tanzania still leaves work to be done - Africa Times [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Might mandatory retirement come back with 70 as the new 65? - The Globe and Mail [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Monument to Thomas Fowell Buxton on Bincleaves Green in Weymouth - Dorset Echo [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Tate announce QUEER BRITISH ART 1861-1967 - FAD magazine [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- County To Apply for Grant for I.V. Community Center | The Daily Nexus - Daily Nexus [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- The myth of the alpha leader is destroying our relationshipsat work and at home - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Equalities Secretary to seek UK assurances over benefits after ... - AOL Money UK [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Disobedience: What Can We Risk? - Mad In America [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Govt mulls abolition of parallel degree programs in public varsities - Capital FM Kenya (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- The redeeming chaos of a bull in the government china shop - Charleston Post Courier [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Westminster warned against benefits 'claw back' once 'bedroom tax' abolished in Scotland - Scottish Housing News [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Opinion: Let's take discourse about HB2 beyond just money - The Daily Tar Heel [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Fighting voter ID laws in the courts isn't enough. We need boots on the ground - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Oped: Fight ID laws one voter at a time - York Dispatch [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Age Action calls on TDs to back Bill abolishing mandatory retirement ... - BreakingNews.ie [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- New York dockers' union calls for abolition of crime-busting Waterfront Commission - The Loadstar [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Molly J. McGrath: Fight ID laws one voter at a time - Madison.com [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Frederick Douglass Park: We're Fixing Our Typo! - Nashville Scene [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Jim Goetsch: Abolition of abortions means changing the way we think - The Union of Grass Valley [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Abolishing provincial championships only way to cure fixture ... - Irish Independent [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Labor won't fight any Fair Work Commission decision to cut Sunday penalty rates: Bill Shorten - Western Advocate [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Committee expected to recommend 100m water charges refunds to those who have paid up - Irish Independent [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Sinn Fein attacks schools minister over plan to merge two transfer tests - Belfast Telegraph [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- 'As a lecturer in the 1980s, I kept my sexual orientation to myself' - Times Higher Education (THE) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Coveney says he will not legislate for water charges abolition as it would be illegal - thejournal.ie [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Taoiseach refuses to back down on water - Newstalk 106-108 fm [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Heart of Smartness - Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- 10 must see events in Hull 2017 season three Freedom this summer - Hull Daily Mail [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- We are sick of being told what to do, says Freddie Forsyth - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Corruption: Abolish security votes, peg minimum wage at N50,000 Ekweremadu - Vanguard [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Saudi employers given one month to return passports - Gulf Business - Gulf Business News [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Religious bodies misguided - Trinidad & Tobago Express [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Ousted Rec Director Loses Case Against City - Athletic Business (blog) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Any deal must provide route to full pay restoration, says ASTI - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Analysis of Pauline Hanson's flat 2 per cent tax shows it would help overseas imports - The West Australian [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Taxes for self-employed likely to rise in Hammond's budget - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]