The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has joined hands with the International LabourOrganisation (ILO) to raise awareness and share technical expertise on implementing best labor standards in India’s cotton industry.
The collaboration will address ongoing concerns about child labor and other unethical practices in cotton production. It will launch ILO's Fundamental Principles and Rights to Work (FPRW) in key cotton-growing districts of Madhya Pradesh for a year, starting in 2024.
These principles focus on building an ecosystem that supports decent work and better livelihoods for workers, particularly small and marginal farmers involved in cotton cultivation. The program will emphasise five critical areas within the cotton value chain: freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, elimination of child labor, abolition of forced labor, eradication of all forms of discrimination, and the promotion of a safe and healthy working environment.
By ensuring cotton is produced under fair and dignified conditions, CITI not only aims to uplift farmers but also enhance the reputation of Indian cotton on the global stage, says ChandrimaChatterjee, Secretary General.
India is the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of cotton, with approximately 6.5 million farmers cultivating the crop across 11 states. The average landholding for cotton farmers in India is about 1.26 hectares, and notably, 40 percent of these farmers are women, one of the highest proportions globally.
Despite India's significant role in the global cotton market, the country has faced criticism from nations like the United States for using child and forced labor in cotton production. These allegations have adversely affected the export potential of Indian cotton, textiles, and garments.
CITI’s partnership with the ILO will ensure fair and ethical production of cotton in India, thus improving both the lives of the farmers and the global perception of Indian cotton.
