How have Western governments responded to Uzbekistan’s use of forced child labour?
The response from West has been so far inadequate. The United States and European Union cover Uzbek cotton and textiles under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides import tax exemptions to poor developing countries. In Europe, Uzbek cotton was granted GSP status in June 2005, just after the Andijan massacre in which Uzbek security forces fired upon unarmed protestors killing hundreds. Back to top The GSP was intended to address imbalances in trade relationships between North and South, but in the case of Uzbekistan, it rather reinforces social injustices. GSP makes the kleptocratic Uzbek regime even more wealthy while the systemic abuse of child labour is perpetuated.
