The Problem with Turkmen Cotton

Each cotton season, Turkmen public sector workers are forced by the government to fulfill cotton picking quotas and private businesses are forced to contribute to the efforts financially or with labor. To fulfill these quotas, parents often have to recruit their children’s help, despite national and international laws against forced and child labor. Every year, the harvest leaves schools, businesses, and health institutions understaffed or closed, placing a huge burden on the health, education, and general well-being of Turkmen citizens.

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Company Pledge Against Forced Labor in the Cotton Sector of Turkmenistan

We, the undersigned companies are working to ensure that forced labor does not find its way into our products. We are aware of reports documenting the systemic use of forced labor in Turkmenistan’s cotton production. We are collaborating with a multi-stakeholder coalition to raise awareness of this very serious concern, and press for its elimination.

As a signatory to this pledge, we are stating our firm opposition to the use of forced labor in Turkmenistan’s cotton production. We commit to not knowingly source Turkmen cotton for the manufacturing of any of our products until the Government of Turkmenistan ends the practice of forced labor in its cotton sector. Until the elimination of this practice is independently verified by the International Labour Organization, as well as determined by the Cotton Campaign, we will maintain this pledge.

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Your participation in the Turkmen Cotton Pledge - by signing as a brand or retailer, or by supporting companies that have signed the pledge - will help end these atrocious human rights violations.

Want to learn more? Read our latest blog post.

List of signatories.

Source: Responsible Sourcing Network