Primitive Living Conditions for Children Picking Cotton in Uzbekistan

Recent photos obtained by the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights expose the starkly promitive living conditions for children labouring in the cotton harvest in Uzbekistan.

The photos, taken in October in Kashkadarya region, Uzbekistan show that children as young as 12 are picking cotton and living in primitive conditions for weeks during the harvest.

Uzbek girl, 12, in Kashkadarya
They are forced to sleep together in groups in rooms with only cardboard placed on the floor, with blankets they have brought from home. Their clothes are placed in bags along the wall.

Carboard placed on the floor of spartan sleeping quarters in Kashkadarya.
Girl resting on the floor in cotton harvest, Kashkadarya
For washing up, they have plastic bowls affixed to a log.

The school-children do their own cooking.

Cotton harvest, Kashkadarya
Teachers accompany the children to the fields and work themselves.

Girls in Kashkadarya cotton field.
Children and teacher, Kashkadarya
Girl in cotton fields, Kashkadarya
Somehow, this girl is able to smile despite these primitive and hard working and living conditions in the cotton harvest in Kashkadarya.