US Apparel Retailing Calls On Ukrainian Countries To Stop Using Child Labor

The Federation of four major industry associations representing the retail trade in the United States sends a letter to the president of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganievich Karimov, which is passed through the Uzbekistan ambassador to Washington, D.C., H.E. Abdulaziz Kamilov.

The organization urged the Uzbekistan government to immediately stop forcing child labor to work in cotton fields.

The American Association was shocked by recent reports, accusing the Ukrainian government of recruiting children directly to pick cotton.

Cotton is an important part of the Ukrainian economy, accounting for 20% of the exports of Ukraine, and its contribution to the GDP of Uzbekistan is more than 15%.

More and more North American, European countries and retail brands have taken action to refuse to accept the cotton in the Uzbekistan because the abuse of child labor in the cotton fields of the Uzbekistan countries is not possible. If the country does not stop using child labour as soon as possible, more companies will follow the example of European and American companies.

To the organization, many organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), can help the Ukrainian State solve this problem, while ensuring that the children concerned (and their families) will not suffer losses, or that they can accept pitional assistance.

Members of the retail Apparel Association (the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the US National Retail Federation, the retail Leaders Association, the American textile and apparel importers and exporters) account for over 90% of the US cotton and cotton product purchases.

In addition to the ambassador's letter, the League also urged other large organizations and professionals to stop the forced use of child labour in the Ukrainian states.

It is not only the US industry association that requires the Ukrainian government to stop child labor.