Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 3 October, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis held a meeting with representatives of the international NGO Better Cotton, led by Development Director I. Gardiner.

During the meeting, Better Cotton experts praised the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan, noting their recognition as pioneering efforts on the international stage.

It was also announced that on 2 October, Better Cotton began an audit, focusing on two key areas: a primary evaluation and an extended review of decent labor conditions in cotton-textile clusters and farms, in line with Better Cotton 3.0 standards.

The implementation of the Better Cotton program in Uzbekistan will focus on three key areas:

1. Signing contracts with seasonal workers under the new Labor Code of Uzbekistan.

2. Monitoring child labor during the cotton harvest.

3. Ensuring gender equality in cotton-textile clusters and establishing gender committees within organizations.

A joint action plan for 2024-2025 has been developed to foster strategic partnership with Better Cotton in Uzbekistan, which is set to be signed on November 13 at an international roundtable dedicated to the cooperation results.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to expand the Better Cotton project in Uzbekistan, engaging more participants, including cotton-textile clusters.