Uzbekistan cotton industry

23.4.2014

Question for written answer E-005393-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Diane Dodds (NI)

A constituent of mine has recently brought to my attention the exploitation of child, as well as adult, labour in the Uzbekistan cotton industry. Labourers often work long hours in poor conditions for little or no financial reward. Children as young as nine are forced to pick cotton by hand. Failure to meet targets can lead to beatings or expulsion from schools. Uzbekistan benefits from preferential import duties for its cotton exports to the EU, which is the biggest single destination for Uzbek cotton, giving us substantial leverage to push for reform and for the protection of children and other labourers in the country.

What is the Commission doing at the European level to lobby the Uzbek state, its cotton industry and its main consumers within EU borders with a view to combating this injustice?

OJ C 413, 19/11/2014