INFORMATION on the work being done to combat forced labor and create decent working conditions during the 2021 cotton harvest season

During the cotton harvest season 2021, the State Labor Inspectorate of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations regularly monitored the fight against forced labor and the creation of decent working conditions.

In particular, the working groups of the State Labor Inspectorate studied about 13,000 organizations, farms and cotton fields in all districts of the country.

At the same time, the State Labor Inspectorate received a total of 128 complaints about forced labor and violations of labor rights during the cotton season, including 54 through the call center, 15 through the website, 24 through social networks and 35 in writing. appeals were received.

As a result of monitoring and investigation of complaints, the State Labor Inspectorate fined 65 officials a total of 198 million for violations of labor legislation. An administrative fine of 450,000 soums was imposed.

Five officials were prosecuted under Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for forced labor during this year's cotton harvest, and the relevant documents were submitted to the courts in one case.

In addition, in 21 cases, the employment contract was not concluded, in 25 cases the working conditions were not created, in 14 cases the facts of late payment of harvest money were revealed, and the officials were brought to administrative responsibility. In addition, written instructions were issued on 48 cases to eliminate the identified violations.

It should be noted that before this year's cotton season, seminars with the participation of ILO experts were organized in the regions to increase the knowledge of employers, in particular, farmers and leaders of cotton textile clusters on forced labor, compliance with labor legislation in the recruitment of seasonal workers.

At the same time, the State Labor Inspectorate for Compulsory Labor Measures and International Standards and National Legislation issued 38,002 of them, including 10,732 in farms and clusters, 7,080 in educational institutions, 2,653 in the health care system, and 7,299 in mahallas. 10,238 training seminars and roundtables were held in other organizations and among the population, which were attended by 642,368 citizens.

There were 3,252 appearances in the media, television and radio. In addition, more than 800 banners and more than 800,000 flyers were distributed in all districts (cities) under the slogan "Every job is voluntary, you have the right to say no to forced labor" in order to prevent forced labor in densely populated areas.

Not only the State Labor Inspectorate, but also the Federation of Trade Unions conducts public monitoring of working groups consisting of senators, deputies, journalists and bloggers, as well as third-party monitoring by the International Labor Organization to combat forced labor and create decent working conditions during the cotton season.

 Dear compatriots!

Noting that the State Labor Inspectorate is fighting against forced labor in the country, the citizens who witnessed cases of forced labor called the short numbers of the State Labor Inspectorate 1176,
71-200-06-00 asks to contact the hotline and the site www.dmi.mehnat.uz.

Dear citizens, restore your violated labor rights and beware of falling victim to forced labor!

As a reminder, your identity is guaranteed not to be disclosed.