The European Union will sign a textile protocol with Uzbekistan only if it’s satisfied Uzbekistan has made progress in scaling back the use of child labor. The EU wants the practice of forced labor and child labor to be eradicated from the national to the local levels.

Europe represents a major market for Uzbek cotton. In 2013, Uzbekistan began allowing the ILO to monitor the annual harvest. Along with a boycott by major clothing manufacturers, Uzbekistan made progress in scaling back the use of child labor and EU pressure certainly played a part.

ILO said in 2015 the use of children in the cotton harvest in Uzbekistan has become rare, sporadic and socially unacceptable. But there are charges Uzbekistan has simply shifted to a greater use of forced adult labor, continuation of a demanding production quota system, and harassment of independent monitors.

Human rights advocates say entering into the textile protocol with Uzbekistan now would have an adverse impact on human rights. Uzbekistan will soon have a new president and it is yet to be seen whether he will engage in significant reforms in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry. The EU may be hoping that a reward for improvements to date will entice the new leader to consider future reforms.