Cotton is still the main crop in Uzbekistan and produced according to quotas set by the State. In order to fulfil these quotas, farmers are accepting additional workers who are sent by force by the government from ministries, schools, hospitals and private enterprises to increase the labour force. Child labour is now legally forbidden and in practice has been drastically reduced. WB and ADB have been approached by international civil society organisations asking for a stricter monitoring of these issues in their projects and for more action to promote international standards and prevent human rights violations.

The Multi Donor Trust Fund (MTDF) will support activities leading to socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable production of cotton in Uzbekistan, including with respect to child and forced labour practices.

• Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR)
• Ministry of Labour and Social Issues
• Farmers and farmers associations
• Hokimyats (local authorities)

• The capacity of farmers, local authorities, and trading firms for socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable cotton production as measured by the norms of the Better Cotton Initiative is improved
• No systematic practices of child and forced labour, and increased sensitivity to the issues of child and forced labour in the areas covered by the existing WB-financed projects
• Awareness is raised in specific areas on legal and policy requirements with respect to child and forced labour and access to domestic feed-back mechanisms

Fase 1 01.09.2015 - 30.09.2021   (Completed)