Empowering cotton communities in Uzbekistan: ILO workshop promotes fundamental principles and rights at work

JIZZAKH, Uzbekistan (ILO News) - On 3 and 4 April, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its Rise for Impact project, conducted an interactive two-day workshop in Jizzakh city focused on promoting all five fundamental principle and right at work (FPRW). The training brought together over 56 participants from cotton-growing communities, district-level branches of constituents, farmers’ council, and civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions.

The five FPRW – freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, abolition of child labour, and elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation – were at the core of the workshop’s agenda. Participants were introduced to each of these principles, their relevance in the local agricultural context, and practical measures to uphold them within the cotton sector.

A key focus was placed on the importance of functional social dialogue platforms, particularly at the sub-regional level, and the active inclusion of women’s voices in these structures. Participants also explored the extension of social protection mechanisms to agricultural workers, many of whom remain outside formal safety nets.

Training sessions also provided practical guidance on:

• Fair recruitment practices
• Occupational safety and health, including the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to negotiate with farming organizations to ensure its provision
• Appropriate workplace behaviour to prevent violence and harassment, aligned with international standards, including Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)

Gender equality and protection from workplace violence emerged as key areas of interest. Participants engaged actively in discussions on creating safe and inclusive working environments, especially for women in agriculture.

© ILO

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue promoting awareness and implementation of the five FPRW across cotton-growing communities. Participants agreed on the need to strengthen local collaboration among stakeholders – workers, farmers, CSOs, and tripartite constituents` representatives – to ensure fair recruitment, improved workplace safety, and the prevention of harassment and discrimination.

This training represents a significant step forward in aligning Uzbekistan’s cotton sector with international labour standards and advancing decent work for all.

By building local capacity and fostering collaboration among key actors, the ILO Rise for Impact project is supporting Uzbekistan’s progress toward more equitable, safe, and sustainable work environments for cotton-growing communities.