What should western companies and governments do?
Companies and governments should urge the Uzbek government to immediately abolish the use of forced and child labour in the cotton industry. Until it is verified that this practice has ceased, western companies, cotton importers and retailers should refrain from purchasing Uzbek cotton and textile products it is used in. Furthermore, Western governments should withhold GSP status from Uzbek cotton imports and textile products. This trade benefit could be restored when it is verified that forced child labour practices have ceased. To avoid further labour abuse of children in developing countries, the EU and other Western countries should introduce a certification and labelling system that would allow retailers and consumers monitor the origin of cotton products imported and sold. The International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF should, albeit belatedly, investigate and publicize the issue of forced child labour in Uzbekistan in order to bring much needed international attention to
