The Turkmen government has complete control over the cotton production system and could end the use of forced labor by taking the following actions:
Enforce national laws that prohibit the use of forced and child labor in alignment with ratified
ILO conventions
Make public, high-level policy statements condemning forced labor, specifically including forced labor in the cotton sector, and making clear that all work should be voluntary and fairly compensated
Instruct government officials at all levels and citizens that act on behalf of the government to not use coercion to mobilize anyone to work
Initiate fair judicial processes that conform to international standards against government officials found to have forced citizens to work, including in the cotton sector, and hold accountable those found guilty with penalties that reflect the severity of the crime and serve as a deterrent for future crimes
Allow independent journalists, human rights defenders, and other individuals and organizations to document and report concerns about the use of forced labor without fear of reprisals
Initiate a time-bound plan to reform root causes of forced labor in the agriculture sector, including:
Cease punitive measures against farmers for debts and not meeting state-mandated production quotas for cotton and other agricultural products
Ensure the state-established procurement prices for cotton, wheat and silk reflect the costs of production, including costs of voluntary labor at market rates, and, over time abolish the state monopsony on cotton, wheat and silk purchasing
Increase financial transparency in the agriculture sector, including by ensuring national budgets include expenditures and income in the agriculture sector
Abolish mandatory production quotas and grant farmers autonomous management of agricultural land