Free Labor, Fair Future

A boycott never begins overnight. First come witnesses, then facts that cannot be denied. In Uzbekistan, those facts were children in the fields and adults forced to pick cotton. When journalists and human rights defenders brought these images to the world, the doors to Uzbek cotton were shut.

Global brands one after another stopped buying raw cotton from Uzbekistan. The country’s reputation suffered, and thousands of producers were cut off from their markets.

Change only came with new leadership. Child labor was banned, independent monitoring was introduced, and dialogue with international organizations began. Muzaffar Razakov, the head of Global Textile, took part in negotiations with the Cotton Campaign that became a turning point for the entire industry.

Today the international community recognizes that Uzbekistan is free from systemic child and forced labor. For us, this is not just the outcome of reforms, but a responsibility for the future. A child belongs in the classroom, not in the cotton fields.

Global Textile continues this mission. We maintain a hotline where any violation can be reported, and every message is reviewed confidentially. If you ever witness such cases, speak up — your voice helps preserve an industry built on fairness and freedom.