BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of a $2 million cooperative agreement to support the improvement of labor conditions in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry, Trend reports via the department.
The funding aims to build the capacity of Uzbek cotton enterprises to adhere to international labor standards and enact effective labor compliance systems.
The world’s sixth largest producer of cotton, Uzbekistan generates more than 1 million tons annually. Its annual cotton harvest employs about 2 million workers, the world’s largest seasonal labor mobilization, from which approximately half of these workers derive their entire annual income.
“Uzbekistan’s commitment to labor standards compliance has renewed international interest in sourcing and investing in cotton grown there,” Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee said.