Uzbekistan has been the target in recent years of international criticism and a widespread commercial boycott over its reliance on child and forced labor to reap the cash crop. Earlier this year, the US State Department assailed Uzbekistan on the forced labor issue.

The surprise news that an observer mission is being allowed into Uzbekistan, which has always denied the use of systematic state-sponsored child and forced labor but for years has resisted pressure to invite monitors in, was met with a cautious welcome from watchdog groups. Nevertheless, labor rights advocates are concerned that the ILO’s mandate will not go far enough to stamp out abuses in the cotton fields.

Source: www.atimes.com