This was announced at the joint statement of the Council of Federation of trade unions of Uzbekistan and Association of Farmers of Uzbekistan, as well as the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Uzbekistan.

These organizations confirmed their devotion and responsibility for implementation of social-economic policy, conducted in Uzbekistan, directed at ensuring and raising well-being of population, including new generation.

The statement said that large-scale social-economic reforms, which have conducted in the country during independence years, liquidated economic and social preconditions for use of forced and inadmissible child labour, including at production of agriculture products.

The document said that various false insinuations of some mass media on mass forced child labour in agriculture works are directed at undermining high rating of agriculture products of Uzbekistan, first of all cotton, in external markets and slow down economic growth and successful social reforms in Uzbekistan and have nothing with care on child rights.

The document said that almost all cotton are harvested by farmers, who is not interested in attracting children to cotton harvest due to economic reasons.

The statement said that taking into account importance of upbringing young generation to diligence and national traditions of children upbringing and their intention to participate in improving well-being of children, it is necessary to encourage voluntary participation of children in creation of national riches through employment in housekeeping and family enterprises.

At the same time, attraction of children at the age of 15 to work, and students of secondary special and professional establishments before the end of education, including to agriculture works, are allowed only in order of working education and professional orientation on voluntary bases with the agreement of parents and within the approved professional training programmes, as well as in line with the legislation.

Attracting children over 15 to work, agriculture producers, including farmers are undertaking obligation on fair payment for work and adhering to legislation for this category of workers, including work and rest schedule, secure work conditions, food and medical services.

Attracting children to labour, including to family enterprise or farm, should not hinder to children education process at general and secondary special vocational education establishments, the statement added.

The document added that any forms of forced labour, including threats of sanctions to them or parents, are inadmissible and prosecuted in line with the legislation of Uzbekistan.

Council of Federation of trade unions of Uzbekistan and Association of Farmers of Uzbekistan undertook public control over non-admission of forced children labour, while Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Uzbekistan will carry out state control.