The State Labour Inspectorate has conducted an investigation regarding the spread of a voice message by a neighborhood leader in Kashkadarya region about not giving child benefits to those who do not participate in cotton picking. The Ministry of Employment's press service is reporting this.
During the investigation, it was found that on October 9, 2024, the head of "Pakhtakor" MFY in Shahrisabz district, L. Urokov, sent a voice message to the "Nushkent Unity" Telegram channel of Nushkent village, calling unemployed citizens for cotton harvesting, and then it was revealed that they came to the gathering.
"Whoever is receiving pension money, at the very least, they must register their name and not fail to contribute in kilograms during cotton picking; child benefits might be stopped. Do not harbor grievances or blame tomorrow. Let everyone understand correctly and come out to the cotton fields. We are now forming a list of this. I am coming to Olim Aka's place. I will format who is coming out and who is receiving child benefits. Those who are not coming out, do not be upset. We are informing you ahead of time," — he said.
Regarding the situation, the neighborhood leader was fined an amount equivalent to fifty times the basic calculation unit (18,750,000 UZS) based on part 1 of Article 51 of the Administrative Responsibility Code (Forcibly compelling labour).
The Ministry of Employment urges citizens to report cases of forced labor to the Employment Assistance departments or via the 1282 short number and the @munosibmehnat_bot Telegram bot to the State Labour Inspectorate.
