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U.S. Senate considers resolution condemning child labor in Uzbek cotton
On April 2, Senator Tom Harkin (Democrat of Iowa) submitted a “sense of the Senate” resolution. The action point:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the Government of Uzbekistan should–
(1) immediately enforce its existing domestic legislation and fulfill its international commitments aimed at ending state-sponsored forced and child labor;
(2) allow a comprehensive independent investigation into forced and child labor in the cotton sector during the fall 2009 harvest season by the International Labour Organization;
(3) in consultation and cooperation with the International Labour Organization, develop a credible and comprehensive action plan based on the findings of the International Labour Organization and commit the resources necessary to end forced and child labor in the cotton sector; and
(4) take concrete steps towards systemic reform that will–
(B) enable such farmers to employ adults in the cotton sector.
Let’s hope the Senate takes it up for a vote in the upcoming session. The administration may be cultivating “improved relations” with Uzbekistan, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of children’s (or anyone’s) rights.
Read the whole text of the resolution here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=sr111-99
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REPORTS
Download 2010 SOAS Report What Has Changed
The production and export of cotton continues to be a major feature of the economy, politics and everyday lives of the people of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This report analyses the nature and causes of their use of child labour in the cotton sector.