US industry groups have together urged the US Secretary of State for Labour to reinstate a recently rescinded Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) contract to improve labour rights in the Uzbekistan cotton industry.
A letter signed by members of the Cotton Campaign, a coalition that aims to end the use of forced labour and other abuses in the cotton sectors of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was delivered to Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer expressing ‘grave concerns’ about the decision.
“The undersigned organisations have grave concerns with the recent decision to eliminate the Department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) project titled “Enhancing Transparency and Accountability of Uzbekistan’s Cotton Industry”, read the letter.
This signatories to the letter include members a coalition that brings together the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), which represent thousands of American brands and retailers and millions of American workers, with organisations that promote worker rights, human rights and responsible supply chains.