Ahead of the cotton harvesting season in Turkmenistan, a three-month information campaign by the International Labour Organization (ILO) aimed at preventing child and forced labor has concluded. About 1,500 people from 35 etraps of the country participated in the training and awareness-raising events held.

This initiative was implemented by the ILO in cooperation with national stakeholders with the financial support of the European Union.

As part of the program, which ran from June 12 to August 12, a total of 15 events were organized at the national and local levels. These included a training seminar aimed at building professional capacity, 13 information meetings held in velayats and etraps, and a final conference.

Regional meetings took place in the cities and etraps of Tejen, Gokdepe, Ak Bugday, Kerki, Sayat, Turkmenabat, Mary, Yoloten, Bayramaly, Dashoguz, Akdepe, Koneurgench, and Gyzylarbat. In addition, representatives from another 20 etraps participated in the events.

The meetings were attended by representatives of local khakimliks, relevant ministries, educational and medical institutions, daikhan associations, as well as employers' and workers' organizations.

During the trainings, special attention was paid to methods for identifying and preventing signs of child and forced labor. Participants discussed the differences between light labor permitted by law and labor in which the participation of children is prohibited.

Explanations were also provided that, according to the legislation of Turkmenistan, involving children in the annual cotton harvest is prohibited.

Information was also provided at the events on ongoing work to prevent and eradicate the practice of involving people in forced labor during cotton harvesting. It was emphasized that any labor must be carried out on a voluntary basis, in safe conditions, and without the threat of punishment.

Oksana Lipcanu, ILO Project Coordinator in Turkmenistan, noted that awareness-raising work serves as an important preventive tool in protecting children from hazardous work, as well as in ensuring voluntary and safe working conditions for adults.

The meetings were held jointly with members of the working group of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring Compliance with Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

Based on the results of the campaign, the need to continue awareness-raising work locally and prepare relevant practical information materials was noted.

The events held are part of the ILO's 2026–2027 project funded by the European Union. Alongside supporting state policy in the labor sphere, the program also includes local initiatives aimed at promoting decent working conditions in cotton production.