Uzbekistan Farmers, Unions and Officials Trained to Advance Labour Rights and Safety

From 1 to 3 December 2025, the city of Jizzakh hosted a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme bringing together government officials, employers’ and workers’ organizations, farmers, and agricultural workers from cotton-producing regions. The three-day workshop focused on two interconnected priorities: promoting fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW) and ensuring appropriate workplace behaviour, including effective prevention of violence and harassment.

The programme—organized under the ILO’s RISE for Impact project—aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and facilitation skills needed to strengthen decent work practices and nurture safe, respectful, and inclusive rural workplaces across Uzbekistan’s cotton sector.

A Tripartite and Community-Based Learning Experience

A total of 50 participants took part:

• 10 representatives from the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction

• 10 representatives from the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan

• 10 representatives from the Confederation of Employers

• 20 farmers from Dustlik district (Jizzakh region) and Syrdarya district (Syrdarya region)

This mix ensured a tripartite format, enabling government, employers, and workers to jointly address labour rights while connecting directly with farmers who manage day-to-day practices in cotton fields.

Strengthening Understanding of Labour Rights in Cotton Production

Participants deepened their knowledge of FPRW, including:

• Elimination of child labour

• Eradication of forced labour

• Combatting discrimination in employment

• Promoting safe and healthy working conditions

• Strengthening collective bargaining and social dialogue

• Improving local grievance mechanisms to resolve conflicts

Discussions highlighted how these rights underpin sustainable agricultural systems and support Uzbekistan's continued reform of its cotton industry toward fairness, transparency, and international best practices.

Addressing Violence and Harassment in Rural Workplaces

A dedicated module focused on preventing violence and harassment, in line with ILO standards, notably Convention No. 190. Participants explored:

• Root causes and forms of violence in agricultural settings

• Gender-based harassment, bullying, intimidation, and power imbalances

• Early detection and prevention strategies

• Steps for community-based and institutional response

• The importance of respectful communication and inclusive leadership

By contextualizing these issues within real experiences from cotton fields, the training helped participants identify practical solutions for ensuring dignity and safety at work.

Preparing Trainers to Replicate Knowledge Nationwide

Because the programme was structured as a Training of Trainers, participants gained facilitation skills necessary to cascade the knowledge within their organizations, districts, and farming communities. Activities included:

• Group discussions and experience sharing

• Case studies from Jizzakh and Syrdarya

• Role-plays on conflict resolution and communication

• Developing short training plans for future workshops

This approach ensures long-term impact by creating a network of trained facilitators capable of supporting rural communities and institutional partners.

Advancing Decent Work Through the ILO RISE for Impact Project

The ToT forms part of the broader work of the ILO RISE for Impact project, which supports the transformation of Uzbekistan’s cotton sector by:

• Strengthening core labour standards

• Enhancing local knowledge and capacity

• Promoting ethical and transparent agricultural practices

• Ensuring decent work and opportunities for rural workers

By the end of the training, participants had improved their understanding of labour rights, strengthened cross-institutional coordination, and gained practical tools to replicate training at the local level. The programme is expected to contribute significantly to building a cotton sector where FPRW form the foundation of decent work, and where violence and harassment are not tolerated.