Education Ministry denounces teachers participating in illegal cotton harvesting
Reports have emerged of schoolteachers in Uzbekistan being pressured to recruit workers for the cotton harvest, sparking concerns about forced labor and unethical practices. The Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MPSSE) has spoken out against this practice and urged teachers to report any instances of coercion to the ministry’s hotline.
Allegations began circulating on social media, with screenshots showing messages instructing teachers to find parents to participate in the cotton harvest. Some teachers expressed worry about the pressure to comply with these demands.
In response to the growing unrest, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a new price of 2,500 UZS per kilogram for manually harvested cotton, following complaints from workers about decreased compensation.
The MPSSE made it clear that teachers should not be involved in recruiting workers for the cotton harvest, as it goes against their professional responsibilities and is illegal. The ministry has set up a working group to monitor and address any illegal activities, with plans to take legal action if violations are found.
Teachers are encouraged to report any instances of coercion or illegal assignments to the ministry’s hotline. Uzbekistan’s law on the “Status of Pedagogues” prohibits teachers from being assigned tasks outside of their professional duties, such as public works or agricultural activities.
This latest development comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat forced labor in Uzbekistan’s agriculture sector, particularly in cotton production, which has faced international scrutiny for many years. The Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to increase the payment rates for cotton pickers reflects a step in the right direction towards ensuring fair and ethical practices in the industry.
