Five officials prosecuted for allowing forced labor in 2021 cotton harvest

According to the ministry, the working groups of the State Labor Inspectorate studied about 13,000 organizations, farms and cotton fields in all regions of the country.

The State Labor Inspectorate received a total of 128 complaints about forced labor and violations of labor rights during the cotton season, including 54 appeals through the call center, 15 – through the website, 24 – through social networks and 35 written complaints.

As a result of monitoring and examination of appeals, the State Labor Inspectorate imposed administrative fines totaling 198.4 million soums on 65 officials for violating labor legislation.

Reportedly, 5 officials were prosecuted under Article 51 of the Administrative Responsibility Code for forced labor during the cotton harvest, and in 1 case, the relevant documents were submitted to the court.

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 officials were brought to administrative responsibility. Moreover, written instructions were included in 48 cases to eliminate the identified violations.

“The State Labor Inspectorate notes that there is a fierce struggle against forced labor in the country. Citizens who witness cases of forced labor are asked to contact the short numbers 1176 of the State Labor Inspectorate, the hotline 71-200-06-00 and the website www.dmi.mehnat.uz,” the inspectorate said in a statement.