ASHGABAT - State-imposed forced labour involving public sector employees was "widespread and systemic" in last year's cotton harvest in Turkmenistan, according to a new report.
Entitled 'Time for Change', the study was compiled by the Cotton Campaign coalition in conjunction with Turkmen.News and the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR).
It urges fashion brands and retailers to sign the campaign's 'Turkmen Cotton Pledge' to demonstrate their commitment to eliminating cotton from Turkmenistan from their garments.
