E4155 V5 Republic of Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources Republic of Uzbekistan and World Bank Projects Implementation Unit for Water Infrastructure Annex to Social Assessment of South Karakalpakstan Water Resources Management Improvement Project (SKWRMIP) Tashkent 2014 1 Contents Contents......................................................................................................................................................... 2 List of tables .................................................................................................................................................. 3 List of diargam .............................................................................................................................................. 4 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Appendixes ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Acronyms and definitions ............................................................................................................................. 7 Methodology of study ................................................................................................................................. 14 Chapter I Assessment of child and forced labor in Uzbekistan................................................................... 20 1.1 Description and assessment of the legislation ............................................................................. 20 1.1.1 Description of international agreements, conventions ratified by the Republic of Uzbekistan ........................................................................................................................................... 20 1.1.2 Description of the applicable law ........................................................................................ 23 1.2 Review and analysis of existing practices and measures on implementation of national legislation on forced labor ....................................................................................................................... 27 1.3 Key stakeholders and institutes of the project ............................................................................. 30 Chapter II Assessment of possible contribution of the project against the use of forced labor .................. 38 2.1 Evidences of forced labor in project area .................................................................................... 38 2.2 Risks of using forced labor.......................................................................................................... 52 2.3 Assessment of compliance with legal orders in project area ....................................................... 58 2.4 Recommendations for improved project design .......................................................................... 59 Chapter III Information dissemination and institutional building ............................................................... 61 Chapter IV Assessment of project activities on mechanization of cotton picking ...................................... 63 Chapter V Official statistics of project area districts .................................................................................. 68 5.1 Demographics of project districts ................................................................................................... 68 5.2 Economic Indicators in Project Areas (number of employed in enterprises, including agriculture) 70 5.3 Socio-cultural Indicators in Project Areas (including social facilities) ........................................... 75 Conclusion................................................................................................................................................... 81 2 List of tables Table 1 Data on the number of the FGD participants ................................................................................. 18 Table 2 List of International agreements, conventions to which joined (ratified) Republic of Uzbekistan (excluding adopted under CIS) ................................................................................................................... 21 Table 3 Extracurricular activities for children in project districts, % ......................................................... 57 Table 4 Strength and weaknesses of institutional structures ....................................................................... 62 Table 5 The resident population in project districts in 2009-2013 .............................................................. 68 Table 6 Population in project districts by gender as of 01.01.2013 ............................................................ 69 Table 7. Number of Employed with Enterprises and Organizations (Private and State) for 2009-2013 (thousand people) in Project Areas ............................................................................................................. 70 Table 8. Number of Farms in 2009-2013 (units) in Project Areas .............................................................. 71 Table 9. Number of Agricultural Machines and Equipment Used by Farms for Crop Seeding and Harvesting in 2009-2013 (units) ................................................................................................................. 73 Table 10. Hired Workers Involved in Harvesting in 2009-2013 (number of people) ................................. 74 Table 11. Number of Cultural and Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (units) .............. 78 Table 12. Healthcare Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (units) ....................................................... 79 Table 13. Disabled and Unemployed Population in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of people) ....... 80 Table 14. Number of Household Members in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (% of the Total Surveyed Households) ................................................................................................................................ 83 Table 15. Number of Children in Surveyed Households in Project Areas – from Birth to 5 (number of people) ......................................................................................................................................................... 83 Table 16. Number of Household Members, Including HH Heads (number of people) .............................. 83 Table 17. Number of Household Members Who Need Special Care (Handicapped, Incapacitated, Disabled) in Surveyed Households of Project Areas, Including Household Heads (number of people) .... 84 Table 18. Social Status of Household Heads in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) ..................... 86 Table 19. Social Status of Household Members Aged 7-17 in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 87 Table 20. Social status of Household Members over 18 Years Old in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) .................................................................................................................................................... 88 Table 21. Individual Household Expenditures in 2013, sums ..................................................................... 90 Table 22. Livestock Population in Households in Project Areas ................................................................ 93 Table 23. Agricultural Crops Produced in Households in Project Areas (number of households) ............. 93 3 List of diargam Diagram 1 Employment rate of household heads in various public sector organizations and state-financed institutions, %.............................................................................................................................................. 41 Diagram 2 Breakdown of working hours of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who take part in improvement of areas, % / hours per month ..................................................................... 42 Diagram 3 Breakdown of spare time of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who participate if improvement of areas, %/hours per month ............................................................................ 43 Diagram 4 Who informs about the possibility to participate in improvement of areas / seasonal harvesting works and other social activities, % ............................................................................................................ 44 Diagram 5 Measures taken towards employees of public sector and state-financed institutions if they for any reasons cannot or don’t want to take part in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities in project districts, % ................................................................................................ 45 Diagram 6 Share of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions involved in the improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities, % ....................................... 46 Diagram 7 What has changed in involvement of people in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities as compared to last year, %..................................................................... 48 Diagram 8 Avalability of healthcare facilities in project districts, % ......................................................... 53 Diagram 9 Health services available to population, in particular for children in project districts, % ......... 53 Diagram 10 Quality of health services in project districts, % ..................................................................... 54 Diagram 11 Availability of education institutions in project districts, % ................................................... 55 Diagram 12 Does your child miss classes?, % ............................................................................................ 55 Diagram 13 Children’s activity in spare time in project districts, % .......................................................... 58 Diagram 14 Urban and rural population in project districts in 2009-2013 ................................................. 69 Diagram 15. Number of Farms in 2009-2013 (Units) in Project Areas, Including Cotton-growing Farms72 Diagram 16. Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of facilities) ......................... 76 Diagram 17. Students in Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of people).......... 77 Diagram 18. Share of Household Members Who Need Special Care (Handicapped, Incapacitated, Disabled) in Surveyed Households in Project Areas, Including Household Heads .................................... 85 Diargam 19. Wealth Self-assessment by HH Heads in Project Areas ........................................................ 89 Diagram 20. Material Values Owned by Households in Project Areas ...................................................... 91 Diagram 21. Access of Households to Public Utilities in Project Areas..................................................... 92 4 List of Figures Figure 1 Map of the project area ................................................................................................................. 13 5 List of Appendixes APPENDIX 1. SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS OF INTERVIEWED RESPONDENTS .................. 83 APPENDIX 2. FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE ........................................................................... 94 APPENDIX 3. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HOUSEHOLDS ........................................................................ 99 6 Acronyms and definitions WUA Water Users’ Association DP Demonstration Plot PIU Project Implementation Unit PIU for on WS Projects Implementation Unit for Water Infrastructure HH Household MAWR Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources ILO International Labor Organization TPM Third Party Monitoring GSM Grievances Settlement Mechanism FFS Farmer Field School NGO Nongovernmental Organization DIWIP Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Phase-I, Project GOU Government of Uzbekistan SA Social Assessment SKWRMIP South Karakalpakstan Water Resources Management Improvement Project HF Household Farms GOU Government of Uzbekistan RCG Rural Citizens Gathering 7 Glossary Viloyat Administrative region (equivalent of Russian «oblast» in the Uzbek language). Uzbekistan is subdivided into 12 viloyats and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Viloyats are subdivided into tumans (districts). Republic of Karakalpakstan is directly subdivided into tumans (districts). Dekhkan Dekhkan household consists of garden plots allocated to the householders for the life tenure; produces and sells agricultural products based on family members’ labor. Makhallya Territorial association, community; at the same time – citizens government body Rural citizens Local government body in the rural area. Rural citizens gathering might include gathering (RCG) several makhallyas. Project districts Administrative districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (Beruni, Turtkul and Ellikkala) where the project area is located. Tamarka Garden or kitchen garden of the dekhkan Tuman Administrative district (equivalent of Russian «raion» in the Uzbek language) Farmer Household farm which produces crops for commercial purposes. This term does not include dekhkan farms which under this definition are regarded as farms producing crops for everyday and private consumption. Khokimiyat Organs of state administration (mayor’s offices) 8 Project Summary Improvement of Water Resources Management in South Karakalpakstan Project (SKWRMIP) is being implemented based on credit/loan received by Government of Republic of Uzbekistan (GOU) under the Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Phase-I, Project (DIWIP). This report is Annex to Social Assessment of the project and prepared for risk assessment of possibility of promoting or aggravating the use of child and forced adult labor (further: forced labor) in the project area. In accordance with proposed Term of Reference, social risk assessment is directed at: I. Assessment of child and forced labor in Uzbekistan; II. Assessment of possible contribution of the project to the use of forced labor; III. Support programs and institutional building; IV. Assessment of project activities on mechanization of cotton harvesting. This Annex presents the basic data obtained derived by analysis of available documents, focus group discussions, expert interviews, as well as by method of interviewing households (HH). Basic outcomes of the social assessment The Republic of Uzbekistan is a member of International Labor Organization (ILO) from 1993 and to date has acceded to more than 10 ILO conventions. Starting from 2005, International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) has been implementing in Uzbekistan. In March 2008, Uzbekistan ratified Minimum Age Convention (No.138) and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (No.182). For the purposes of full implementation of provisions of ratified ILO conventions, Government of Uzbekistan has approved National Action Plan (NAP) on measures to prevent forced child labor in any form and manifestation, as well as coordination of ministries, departments and State bodyies’ activity on the ground. NAP foresees improvement of the regulatory framework, monitoring and awareness-raising work on implementation of conventions No.138 and No.182, as well as implementation of international cooperation projects. For the purposes of analysis of situation with the use of child and forced adult labor in the project districts, qualitative and quantitative assessments of situation at hand were conducted. Within the scope of this study, 300 interviews with HHs (HH survey), 6 FGDs in the project districts and 40 in-depth (expert) interviews were conducted. Results of the expert interviews and focus group discussions have shown that population, including the owners of household farms, are aware about the national and international legislation on forced labor inclusive of child labor. In accordance with national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the minimum age for employment or work is 18, i.e. the age of graduating from vocational secondary education institution and attaining of the full majority. Children of the minority age may not be called upon for labor, all the more, may not be forcedly be taken for farm work. 9 Study has shown that population of the project districts voluntarily participate in farm work inclusive of its main employment. This relates not only to employees of the public agencies and enterprises, but also to the enterprises and organizations of private sector. The Consultant emphasizes that opinions of the participants of this study allows to say that in the project districts forced or compulsory labor on land improvement, seasonal work on harvesting is not observed. Population of the project districts comes to estate maintenance work, i.e. khashar, on its own initiative. According to the study (HH survey in the project districts), more than 70% of employees of the government agencies and budgetary organizations participate in estate maintenance / seasonal work on harvesting (excluding cotton). More than 80% of all employees of the government and budgetary organizations directly participate in seasonal work on cotton harvesting. Based on the findings of survey, employees of government agencies and budgetary organizations (those who participate in estate maintenance), on an average, spend not more than 15% of their working hours for participation in such activity. Employees of government agencies and budgetary organizations in the project districts spend most of their working hours for fulfillment of their official duties. Most of the employees of public agencies and budgetary organizations engaged in estate maintenance, seasonal work on harvesting, including cotton, are women. The Consultant has pointed out that this is related to the fact that women are mainly work in the fields of health and education. Vast majority of interviewed HH has stated that they were additionally paid / rewarded for active participation in seasonal job in harvesting, including cotton. Population who participates in estate maintenance / seasonal employment in harvesting, including cotton, is provided with vehicle by the organizer / employer or by the farmer. This is confirmed by outcomes of HH survey in the project districts and opinions of all FGD participants. The heads of divisions or organizations, representatives of district / city khokimiyat act as a key liaison for receiving information about possibility to participate in estate maintenance / seasonal employment in harvesting and other public activities. Participation of children in estate maintenance, landscaping, tree-planting, and cleaning of land is not a breach of the national or international legislation. Children in the project districts do some work on housekeeping, provide doable assistance (in accordance with age peculiarities and skills) to the parents, relatives. Study has shown that children in the project districts have not been engaged in farm work, including in cotton harvesting, within the last 2-3 years. All participants of expert interviews in the project districts confirmed that provisions and regulations of the Republic of Uzbekistan prohibiting forced exaction of children and adults in farm labor are in full force and effect. For observance of lawfulness of employees’ participation in farm work (harvesting), settlement of control and lodging of a complaint functions in the project districts. Compliance control of prohibition of child’s labor and adult’s forced labor is made mainly by the local authorities. Compliance verification of prohibition of child’s farm labor primarily rests on the parents. Expert interviews have shown that Administrative Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan provides for administrative responsibility for the breach of current legislation on prohibition of forced labor. Employer 10 shall be responsible for forced labor, including child forced labor. Use of child and forced adult labor in most cases is caused by necessity of low-cost labor n sufficient number to timely harvesting. Population forced labor, including in agriculture, prompts a number of negative consequences and risks., Economic risks related to loss in income, dismissal, penalties, as well as access limitation to wealth; social risks - health risks related to aggravation of health and access to medical services / medical aid and risks in education sphere related to deterioration of education quality and access to education might be shown as the main risks. Forced child labor in farm (in the fields, kitchen garden) might prompt enda ngerment of child’s health. Children involved in child labor have also more limitated access to the secondary and professional education. Population and experts have noted that among measures taken by the local authorities on prevention of child and forced adult labor most widespread are the outreach and popularization. Although there are cotton harvesters and other machinery in the project districts, FGD participants said that cotton harvested by hand is of a higher quality. Cotton collected by hand is more expensive than cotton harvested by machinery. Children, who by the date of beginning of cotton harvesting were not attainmed the majority, i.e. 18 years, have not been angaged in cotton harvesting in the last 2-3 years. Even voluntary presence of children in the cotton fields during harvesting is prohibited by the legislation of Uzbekistan. As a whole, taking account of results of study, the Consultant has not revealed any facts of child and forced adult labor in the project districts. 11 Introduction General information about the project SKWRMIP covers three southern districts of Karakalpakstan, namely: Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul, tail of right bank of the Amudarya River. Project area is located not more than 100 km away from Nukus city in the north, capital of Karakalpakstan, and about 20 km away from Urgench city in the west, capital of Khorezm region. It foresees construction of 70 km new canal, rehabilitation of Pravoberejni Canal (PBC). Additionally, secondary canals will be rehabilitated, as well as damaged structures will be repaired or replaced. SKWRMIP aims to improve sustainable and financially efficient water resources management and rehabilitate irrigation system in the project area. Project has the following components: (I) upgrading of irrigation network; (II) institutional strengthening, (III) project management and monitoring / assessment. SKWRMIP also aims to review the main aspects that threaten productivity and sustainability of irrigated farming in the project area following improvement of the drainage brought in by ongoing Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Phase-I, Project (DIWIP, P009127). Questions for review include deterioration of irrigation infrastructure, low efficiency of water use, high costs of pumping of water and lack of the farmers’ motivation to improve production and productivity. In addition to technical support, the project will contribute to the institutional strengthening, introduction of more accountable management at all levels, as well as provide sowing of the secondary crops (not cotton/wheat) after winter wheat. Expected benefits of the project include increased productivity from rehabilitated (abandoned) land downstream of the project area, and from vertical intensification in rehabilitated and existing lands, coupled with reduced costs of pumped irrigation. Sowing of the secondary crops (not cotton/wheat) after harvesting of wheat will become possible in command area. Main crop in the project area is cotton; there are also wheat, forage crops, fruits and vegetables. 12 Figure 1 Map of the project area Source: Project Working Group Source: Project Working Group 13 Methodology of study Purpose and tasks of preparation of Annex to the report on Social Assessment Although child and forced adult labor is prohibited in Uzbekistan, there are concerns that child and forced adult labor (further: forced labor) might be contributed or aggravated in the project area. According to proposed ToR, this Annex is to resolve the following tasks: I. Assessment of child and forced labor in Uzbekistan; This additional study should be concentrated on assessment of the national standards and practices which prohibit forced labor. Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has signed several conventions of International Labor Organization (ILO) on child and forced labor.1 Provisions of these conventions were included in the national legislation. The purpose is to assess the national practices related to prohibition of forced labor in Uzbekistan. It consists of the following: i. Description of the applicable law and regulatory standards of forced labor. ii. In-depth analysis of stakeholders that considers organizations responsible for implementation of legislation at the national, regional and local levels (for example, public agencies and officials, regional and local authorities, national and local NGOs, justice system, etc.). Analysis of stakeholders will review the official and practical duties of these agencies, as well as their policy, activity, capacity, interests, restrictions, strengths and weaknesses. iii. Review and analysis of existing practice and measures on implementation of the national legislation on forced labor. This analysis will outline specific models and practices in prohibition of forced labor in Uzbekistan, and include assessment of concrete national / regional strategies and examples of efficient / inefficient forced measures and instruments for implementation. It will also define strengths and weaknesses of the existing system. II. Assessment of possible impact of the project on forced labor; Based on data from Component 1, this component will be focused on the project and its area coverage. It consists of the following: i. Assessment of any available evidence of forced labor in geographic area covered by the project. If any evidence forced labor is found, assessment will describe how forced labor is organized, what scope it has, to whom it is targeted, who is responsible for mobilization and coordination of labor, what liaison is used, what are the penalties for non-fulfillment, etc. ii. Risk analysis for identification of the specific components and types of activity which will be supported by the project and which could contribute or aggravate forced labor. Purpose of this analysis is to highlight the types of activity which could potentially contribute to or aggravate forced labor, as well as describe any risk factors associated with this issue. iii. Assessment of public tranquility in the project area. Based on risk analysis, this assessment will analyze existing practices and measures which are aimed at entering into effect of prohibition of forced labor in the project area. It will bring out the strengths and weaknesses of these measures and check out whether they could adequately mitigate probability of forced labor in the project area. This assessment will also will indicate the level of local population’s awareness about prohibition of forced labor. 1 These conventions include Minimum Age Convention No. 138, Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention No. 182, Forced Labor Convention No. 29 and Abolition of Forced Labor Convention No. 105. Besides, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which was also signed by Government, prohibits forced labor (Article 8). 14 iv. Recommendations on elaboration of the project were made based on obtained data by this assessment.2 These recommendations propose the elements of both Third Party Monitoring (TPM) and Grievances Settlement Mechanism (GSM), and might be effectively introduced in the project. Recommendations will discuss how TPM and GSM might be structured to comply with local context and motivate local population to share information with monitors and as part of GSM. (For example, who should be responsible for management of TPM and GSM; how and with whom reports should be processed; should anonymity be guaranteed or not, and if so, then how; what liaison will likely be more useful; how to raise awareness about availability of these channels; which stakeholders should be involved in implementation of these mechanisms, etc.). Recommendations also reflect risks defined as part of assessment, and are not necessarily limited with PM and GSM. III. Support programs and institutional building; Project foresees various types of communications and support programs which are aimed at: (а) provision of the relevant, timely and available information to various stakeholders; ( б) involvement of stakeholders and property throughout the project, taking account of DIWIP lessons. Annex presents assessment and recommendations on implementation of these types of activity. Special attention was also paid to implementation of Farmer Field School (FFS) approach, Demonstration Plots (DP), including measures on Institutional Building of WUAs and Irrigation and Drainage Management in terms of strengthening of their capacity to trace down and prevent any incidents on aspects of forced child labor. IV. Assessment of types of the project activity on mechanization of cotton harvesting Project will include pilot and demonstration plots on mechanization of cotton harvesting for beneficiaries of the project. Annex assesses potential impact of these pilot plots on beneficiaries in the project area and provides recommendations on how these pilot and demonstration plots might be structured to maximize their efficiency and distribution in the project area. Methods and instruments used for the assessment During assessment the Consultant uses quantitative and qualitative methods to describe the problems related to the risk of using forced labor:  Baseline study and analysis of data of official statistics Analysis has included a review of available information, literature and data on the project area.  Method of quantitative research - household survey Preparation of the HH survey (interviewing) was commenced from the date of signing the contract and had been conducted in February 2014. At prefield stage, questionnaire for household survey was drawn, parameters of sampling were clarified, and briefing of field employees (interviewers and supervisors) on working with tools and sampling was carried out. Pilot questionnaire, data on parameters of sampling and other tools are presented in Annex to this report which was prepared after conducting, processing and analyzing the data on HH survey. 2 These recommendations might be then used for informing a broad list of measures which will be developed for prohibition of forced labor in the areas covered by the projects and activities supported by the Bank. 15 Totally, it is planned to conduct 300 standardized interviews with HHs in three project districts. HHs have been chosen on equiprobable and proportional sampling in three districts project, i.e. Beruni, Turtkul and Ellikkala. Survey of the farmers and households is carried out by personal interviews at respondents’ homes and other places accessible for interviewing, but according to the territorial sampling. Survey is carried out by the specially prepared interviewers. Quality of job of the interviewers is controlled by the field supervisors who are for the second time visiting about 6% of HHs. For information insertion, special program on data input is designed envisaging to control the quality of entry. Resulting baseline is processed by virtue of the standard package of statistical processing, SPSS V.15.0. Arrangement of sampling for household survey For the farmers and households survey two-stage random sampling is used organized so that all settlements in the project area have an equal probability to be covered by the study. Cities / unban-type settlements (UTS) and RCG covering all project districts serve as the primary sub-areas. At Stage I, settlements/makhallyas which are included in RCG become the sampling units. In RCG, list of makhallyas for sampling is formed taking into account location of villages so that the survey could cover only makhallyas located within the project area. Subsequently, in each rural gathering consisting of 2-5 makhallyas, sampling with equal probability of 1-2 makhallyas takes place for the survey. At Stage II, HH serve as the sampling units. For selection of households a random sampling from makhallya lists of HH is used designed in such a way that each family has equal opportunity to be interviewed. Identification of sampling size For HH survey a random probability sampling is formed providing 95% representation in three project districts. Size of the random non-repeated sampling is calculated under the following formula: Where n - sampling size N - Population size Z - Critical point of standard normal distribution for prescribed significance value (α = 0,5)  - Admissible sampling error δ - Variance of a population property with normal distribution and relevant for purposes of the study. Population size (number of HHs in the project districts) is calculated based on data of government statistics. Critical point of a normal distribution – constant value of confidence figure for prescribed representation value 95%. Admissible sampling error is defined by a specified significance value and does not exceed 5%.  Method of qualitative studies In each three districts focus group discussions and in-depth interviews have been conducted. Focus group discussions 16 The Study includes 6 focus group discussions (FGD) with involvement of the representatives of key beneficiaries. The Consultant has made every possible effort to guarantee equal participation of women and men in these groups. Qualitative analysis of the discussions content is complemented with quantitative analysis (quantification, content analysis). These discussions are conducted on entire range of selected problems of prohibition of forced labor. Outcomes of planned focus group discussions (FGD) will be included in corresponding sections of report-annex which includes analysis of qualitative information, as well as quotations and statements of the participants of these discussions. Data on conducting and the number of the FGD participants with breakdown by districts are presented in Table below: 17 Table 1 Data on the number of the FGD participants Ellikkala district Name Number of people Participants Age  Representatives of khokimiyats and subdivisions of Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources;  Representatives of subdivisions of Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population; First group  Regional and districts representatives of associations 25 – 70 8 -10 people dekhkan and household farms; years  Representatives of local WUAs;  Representatives of local women groups / Women’s Committee;  Representatives of NGOs  Teachers of schools, colleges and lyceums; Second  Representatives of medical centres 25 – 70 8 -10 people group  Representatives of makhallya committees years  Representatives of district HF and HH Beruni district Name Number of people Participants Age  Representatives of khokimiyats and subdivisions of 25 – 70 Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources; years  Representatives of subdivisions of Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population;  Regional and districts representatives of associations First group 8 -10 people dekhkan and household farms;  Representatives of local WUAs;  Representatives of local women groups / Women’s Committee;  Representatives of NGOs  Teachers of schools, colleges and lyceums; 25 – 70 Second  Representatives of medical centres years 8 -10 people group  Representatives of makhallya committees  Representatives of district HF and HH Turtkul district Name Number of people Participants Age  Representatives of khokimiyats and subdivisions of 25 – 70 Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources; years  Representatives of subdivisions of Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population;  Regional and districts representatives of associations of First group 8 -10 people dekhkan and household farms;  Representatives of local WUAs;  Representatives of local women groups / Women’s Committee;  Representatives of NGOs  Teachers of schools, colleges and lyceums; 25 – 70 Second  Representatives of medical centres years 8 -10 people group  Representatives of makhallya committees  Representatives of district HF and HH FGDs are conducted in the Uzbek language with participants who can fluently speak Uzbek. Moderators follow the rules: 18  Cause polemics, arguments to invite different opinions, real stories and examples – «Is it!? », «But I’ve heard something different...», «Are there any other opinions? ».  If questions cause difficulties (shyness, etc.) - ask not directly about participants, but about friends and rumors. For example «And among your friends? » or «They say that …., is that so? »;  Questions, in case of their hampered perception, were reworded retaining their content;  Main question in FGDs and for all responses – was question «Why? »;  General and abstract responses are not accepted and from the participants real stories and examples are invited;  Participants are proposed to evaluate quantitative indicators in figures, even approximate ones; Moderators inform the participants about the following:  Responses are confidential and information will used for improvement of the project;  About necessity to be spoken out for each participant, as there is no correct or incorrect responses, all opinions are valuable;  Permission to use a Dictaphone which is needed for not distorting the statements of the participants. In-depth interviews According to ToR, the Consultant shall conduct in-depth interviews with the stakeholders. Total number of interviews is 40 of which 30 interviews are conducted in the project districts, Beruni, Turtkul and Ellikkala, and 10 interviews - with stakeholders in Tashkent. Stakeholders to be interviewed are:  Representatives of khokimiyats and subdivisions of Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources;  Regional and district representatives of associations of dekhkan and household farms;  Representatives of subdivisions of Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population;  Representatives of local WUAs;  Representatives of local women groups / Women’s Committee;  Representatives of makhallya committees;  Representatives of NGOs. Procedures for conducting the study Study is conducted by virtue of local specialists consisting of social researchers and interviewers who work under the general supervision of the Consultant. The Consultant is responsible for the following aspects: (а) preparation and translation of all instruments for the survey (questionnaires for households, guidelines for in-depth interviews, manuals for focus group discussions) with use of samples provided by World Bank; (б) development of representative samples along with training of the interviewers, encoders and watchers; (в) provision of vehicles to and through the project area along with accommodation and food for the field staff (if applicable); (г) support of procedures for strict quality control during implementation in the field and encoding to ensure the data reliability. 19 Chapter I Assessment of child and forced labor in Uzbekistan Government of Uzbekistan has signed several conventions of International Labor Organization (ILO), related to the child and forced labor.3 Provisions of these conventions were included the in national legislation. This Chapter describes and assesses the national standards and practices which prohibit the child and forced adult labor. 1.1 Description and assessment of the legislation 1.1.1 Description of international agreements, conventions ratified by the Republic of Uzbekistan Republic of Uzbekistan joined International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1993 and to date acceded more than 10 ILO Conventions. Starting from 2005, International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) has been implemented in Uzbekistan. In March 2008, Uzbekistan ratified Minimum Age Convention (No.138) and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (No.182). In Table below the list of essential international agreements and conventions on labor signed by Government of Uzbekistan is presented: 3 These Conventions include Minimum Age Convention No. 138, Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182, Forced Labour Convention No. 29, and Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No. 105. Besides, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), also signed by Government, prohibits forced labor (Article 8). 20 Table 2 List of International agreements, conventions to which joined (ratified) Republic of Uzbekistan (excluding adopted under CIS) Data on instruments of Date and ratification, documents on Name of document place of Data on ratification, joining joining, effectiveness, signing denunciation Joining in accordance with Effectiveness for the Republic Convention on the Rights of the 20.11.1989 Decree of Supreme Council of of Uzbekistan is from Child New York the Republic of Uzbekistan 29.07.1994 dated 09.12.1992 N 757-XII Ratified by Decree of Oliy Instrument of ratification was 28.06.1930 Majlis of the Republic of Forced Labor Convention, (No. 29) forwarded on 03.11.1997 N Geneva Uzbekistan dated 05/12375 30.08.1997 N 492-I Instrument of ratification was Ratified by Decree of Oliy forwarded on 03.11.1997 N Abolition of Forced Labor 25.06.1957 Majlis of the Republic of 05/12375 Convention, (No. 105) Geneva Uzbekistan dated Effectiveness for Republic of 30.08.1997 N 498-I Uzbekistan is from 15.12.1997 Ratified by Law of the Minimum Age Convention, (No. 26.06.1973 Republic of Uzbekistan dated - 138): Geneva 04.04. 2008 N LRU-140 Ratified by Law of the Worst Forms of Child Labor 17.06.1999 Republic of Uzbekistan dated - Convention, (No. 182): Geneva 08.04.2008 N LRU-144 Joining in accordance with Note dated 27.06.1995 N Forty-Hour Week Convention, 22.06.1935 Decree of Oliy Majlis 05/6053 forwarded by dispatch (No. 47) Geneva Republic of the Uzbekistan to Swiss Embassy of dated 06.05.1995 N 83-1 01.12.1995 N 282 Joining in accordance with Note dated 27.06.1995 N Convention 52 concerning Annual 24.06.1936 Decree of Oliy Majlis of the 05/6053 forwarded by dispatch Holidays with Pay Geneva Republic of Uzbekistan dated to Swiss Embassy of 06.05.1995 N 84-1 01.12.1995 N 282 Joining in accordance with Note dated 27.06.1995 N Employment Policy Convention, 09.07.1964 Decree of Oliy Majlis of the 05/6053 forwarded by dispatch (No. 122) Geneva Republic of Uzbekistan dated to Swiss Embassy of 06.05.1995 N 86-1 01.12.1995 N 282 Ratified by Decree of Oliy Effectiveness for Republic of Workers’ Representatives 23.06.1971 Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan is from Convention, (No. 135) Geneva Uzbekistan dated 15.12.1997 30.08.1997 N 494-I Ratified by Decree of Oliy Discrimination (Employment and Instrument of ratification was 25.06.1958 Majlis of the Republic of Occupation) Convention, (No. forwarded on 03.11.1997 N Geneva Uzbekistan dated 111) 05/12375 30.08.1997 N 499-I Equal Remuneration Convention, 29.06.1951 Ratified by Decree of Oliy Instrument of ratification was (No. 100) Geneva Majlis of the Republic of forwarded on 03.11.1997 N Uzbekistan dated 05/12375 30.08.1997 N 493-I According to international law regulating the labor relations, forced labor means the following: Forced or compulsory labor shall mean all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered him voluntarily. Convention No. 29 International Labor Organization «On forced and compulsory labor», Article 2 21 The right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 32.1 (A/Res/44/25; 2 November 1989) Convention No. 182: Worst Forms of Child Labor, defines the term "child" as Article 2. The term "child" shall apply to all persons under the age of 18. Child labor is named the work which harms well-being child and hinders his or her education, growth and future life. Work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm a child, expose him/her to violence or exploitation and deprives of the opportunity to study. According to Article 3 of the said Convention, the term “the worst forms of child labor" includes: a) All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labor, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; (b) The use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; (c) The use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties; (d) Work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children Based on provisions of Article 7 of the said Convention: Each Member shall, taking into account the importance of education in eliminating child labor, take effective and time-bound measures to: (a) Prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labor; (b) Provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labor and for their rehabilitation and social integration; (c) Ensure access to free basic education, and, wherever possible and appropriate, vocational training, for all children removed from the worst forms of child labor; (d) Identify and reach out to children at special risk; and (e) Take account of the special situation of girls According to the principal provisions of Minimum Age Convention (No. 138), Members are recommended to set the minimum age not less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. Nevertheless, a Member whose economy and educational facilities are insufficiently developed may, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, initially specify a minimum age of 14 years generally, 12 – 14 years for light work and, in the particular instances, 16 years for types of dicey labor. Article 7 of the said Convention defines national laws or regulations permitting the employment or work of persons 13 to 15 years of age on light work which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programs approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received 22 However, ILO also uses expressions «employed children» and «economically active children». These two terms apply to work of child executed for a period exceeding one hour in the course of seven days. This work might be reimbursable or non-reimbursable, constant or periodic, legal or illegal, but should not break the statutory standards and provisions. Herewith, «employed children» and «economically active children» do not mean household work executed by child. 1.1.2 Description of the applicable law National legislation regulating the labor relations is based on:  Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan (08 December 1992);  Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (approved on 21 December 1995 and enacted on 01 April 1996)  Laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;  Decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;  Decrees of Oliy Majlis;  Laws of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and decrees of Jokargi Kenes (Parliament);  Decrees of Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan;  Decisions of other representative and executive authorities made within their competence. According to Basic law of Republic, in Uzbekistan all people shall be guaranteed the equal right to labor and forced labor shall be prohibited: Article 37. Everyone shall have the right to labor, free choice of employment, fair conditions of labor and protection from unemployment in the manner prescribed by law. Forced labor shall be prohibited otherwise than in the procedure of execution of sentences, or in other cases prescribed by the law. Article 38. Employees shall have the right to remunerated rest. Working hours for payable leave shall be defined by the law.4 Forced labor is also prohibited according to Article 7 of Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Article 7. Prohibition of forced labor. Forced labor at threat of any punishment (including for maintenance of work discipline) shall be prohibited. Work shall not be considered as forced labor for execution of which it is required:  based on enactment on military or alternative service;  in conditions of emergency;  as a result of final sentence;  in other cases prescribed by the law Article 8. Protection of labor rights. Everyone shall be guaranteed the protection of labor rights to be implemented by the organs of supervision over compliance with labor legislation, as well employment dispute tribunals. In accordance with article 77 of Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, employment shall be carried out from 16 years. 4 Constitution of Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted on 8 December 1992 at the 11th session of Supreme Council of Republic of Uzbekistan of 12th convocation, taking account of all amendments made according to the Law of Republic of Uzbekistan dated 18.04.2011 No. LRU-284 23 Article 77. The age from which it is allowed to employ. Employment shall be allowed from 16 years. (Part as revised Law of Republic of Uzbekistan dated 24.12.2009, No. LRU-239) For preparation of youth to labor it shall be allowed to employ students of regular schools, vocational secondary, professional institutes for light labor not harmful to their health and moral development, not disturbing education when they are free from study - upon attainment of the age of 15 years subject to written approval from one of the parents or one of the proxy parents. Persons under the age of 18 shall be employed in compliance with requirements as specified in Article 241 of this Code. Additional conditions and guarantees shall be also prescribed for persons who have not attained the age of eighteen years: Article 239. Guarantees on employment for persons under the age of 18. Employer shall be obliged to employ persons under the age of 18 sent by the local labor organ and other organs in the procedure of employment on account of specified minimal employment. Refusal to hire on account of specified minimal employment shall be prohibited and might be appealed through the courts. All persons under the age of 18 shall be hired only after preliminary health check and, at any time thereafter before attaining 18 years, shall be annually subject to compulsory health check. Article 240. Labor rights of persons under the age of 18. Persons under the age of 18 in labor relations shall be equated to labor rights with adult employees, and in occupational safety and health, working hours, holidays and other conditions of work shall enjoy additional benefits specified for them by legislative and other normative acts on labor. Article 241. Works where it is prohibited to employ persons under the age of 18. Persons under the age of 18 shall be prohibited to be employed at works with adverse conditions, in underground and other works which may harm health, security or morality of this category of employees. Weight exceeding specified norms shall not be allowed to be lifted and carried by persons under the age of 18. List of works stated in part one of this Article and maximum allowed rates of lifting and carrying of weight by persons under 18 years shall be prescribed Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of Republic of Uzbekistan and Ministry of Health Republic of Uzbekistan in consultation with Council of Unions Federation of Uzbekistan and representatives of employers. Article 242. Reduced working hours for persons under the age of 18 For employees whose age is 16 to 18 working hours shall be fixed as no more than 36 hours a week, and for persons of the age 15 to 16 - a maximum of 24 hours a week. Article 243. Remuneration of employees under the age of 18 at reduced daily work Remuneration of employees under the age of 18 at reduced daily work shall be made in the same size as for employees of relevant categories at full daily work. Students employed at enterprises when they are not studying shall be remunerated on the assumption of hours worked or depending on output. Article 244. Annual leave of persons under the age of 18 24 Annual leave for persons under the age of 18 shall be provided at least 30 consecutive days and might be used by them during summer time or any other time of year convenient for them. If work year for which leave is provided covers period before and after attainment by the employee of 18 years, leave shall be calculated for record of service until attainment of 18 years based on 30 consecutive days, and for record of service after the attainment of 18 years - on the usual terms. Article 245. Prohibition of exaction of persons under the age of 18 to the night, overtime and weekend works. Exaction of persons under the age of 18 to the night, overtime and weekend works shall be prohibited. Provisions of Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan also define basic requirements of labor protection. Employer is obliged to arrange required conditions of labor satisfying requirements of security and hygiene. Requirements on labor protection are prescribed by Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, legislative and other normative acts on labor, as well as technical standards. Employer bears responsibility for violation of requirements of labor protection. According to provisions of Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, compliance with labor legislation is controlled out Ministry of labor and Social Protection of Population: Article 9. State management in labor. Control and supervision over compliance with labor legislation. State management in labor shall be carried out by Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its territorial organs. (Part as revised Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 12.05.2001 No. 220-II) Control and supervision over compliance with labor legislation and rules on labor protection shall be carried out by: 1) Specially mandated thereto public authorities and their inspections; 2) Unions (clause in revised Law of Republic of Uzbekistan dated 07.12.2001 No. 320-II) Public authorities and management shall conduct the control of compliance with labor legislation in the manner prescribed by law. Accurate and uniform fulfillment of labor legislation in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be supervised by the Procurator General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his/her subordinate procurator generals. Provisions of Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan define the procedure for correlation of national legislation on labor relations with international rules and guidelines. Article 10. Correlation of International agreements, conventions and labor legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan If by international agreement of the Republic of Uzbekistan or Convention of International Labor Organization ratified by Uzbekistan more favorable for employees rules in comparison with legislative or other normative acts on labor of the Republic of Uzbekistan are specified, then rules of international agreement or convention shall be applied. Rules of international agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan or conventions of International Labor Organization ratified by Uzbekistan shall be also applied when labor relations are directly not regulated by legislation. 25 Law of the Republic of the Uzbekistan «On Guarantee of Child Rights» No. LRU-139 dated 07 January 2008 is the additional adpromissor for observance of child rights. Article 20. Guarantees of labor rights of child to labor. Each child shall have the right to labor, free choice of employment and occupation, fair conditions of labor in accordance with his-her age, health condition and professional training in the manner prescribed by the law. Employment shall be allowed from 16 years. For preparation of children to labor it shall be allowed to employ students of regular schools, vocational secondary, professional institutes for light labor, not harmful to their health and moral development, not disturbing education when they are free from study - upon attainment of the age of 15 subject to written approval from one of the parents or one of the proxy parents. Government shall guarantee the rights of child to labor by provision to employed persons under the age of 18 of required conditions for concurrent employment with education and other measures under the law. In accordance with this Law, a child in the Republic of Uzbekistan is guaranteed the right to rest, leisure, protection of his-her health and education: Article 21. Guarantees of labor rights of child to rest and leisure. Each child shall have the right to rest and leisure corresponding his-her age, health and needs. Parents or proxy parents shall arrange, in accordance with their abilities and possibilities, conditions of life required for comprehensive growth and well-being of child. Government shall establish and support child’s health, sporting, creative and other recreation and leisure organizations in accordance with legislation. Article 22. Guarantees of labor rights of child to protection health. Each child shall have the right to health protection. Government shall arrange conditions for mother to protect her health for ensuring delivery of a healthy child. Government shall guarantee for child a free medical aid in accordance with legislation. Child’s right to health protection shall be guaranteed by Government through:  arrangement of competent medical services;  control of health condition of a child, his-her parents and prevention of child illnesses;  dispensary observation and treatment at child and pubertal medical facilities;  control of production and selling of the food of proper quality;  arrangement of education and labor conditions satisfying the physiological make-up and child’s health condition;  free medical consultations from national budget during identification of competency;  hygienic education, popularization and encouragement of healthy lifestyle;  provision of required information about health condition in the form comprehensible for him/her Child older than 14 years child shall the right to voluntary informed consent to medical intervention or its rejection. 26 Any scientific tests or other experiments with child damaging his-her life, health and normal development shall be prohibited. Article 23. Guarantees of labor rights of child to education. Each child shall have the right to education. Government shall guarantee free compulsory general secondary education to a child, as well as vocational secondary professional education. On the assumption of above provisions of national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Consultant might conclude that national standards and practices which prohibit forced labor are defined in the Republic of Uzbekistan. 1.2 Review and analysis of existing practices and measures on implementation of national legislation on forced labor In accordance with International Conventions adopted by the Republic of Uzbekistan and current national legislation, the following measures on prohibition of forced labor are being carried out:  Starting from 2005, International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) has been implementing in Uzbekistan;  In March 2008, Uzbekistan ratified Minimum Age Convention (No.138) and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (No.18);  For the purposes of full implementation of provisions of ratified ILO conventions, Government of Uzbekistan has approved National Action Plan (NAP) on measures to prevent forced child labor in any form and manifestation, as well as coordination of ministries, departments and State bodyies’ activity on the ground. NAP foresees improvement of the regulatory framework, monitoring and awareness-raising work on implementation of conventions No.138 and No.182, as well as implementation of international cooperation projects;  In December 2009, the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the Law «On additions into Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility». This regulation foresees inclusion into national legislation the provisions of responsibility of individuals including parents for use of juvenile labor at work in adverse conditions which may harm the health or security of juvenile, as well as strengthen responsibility of employers for breach of legislation on labor and labor protection in respect of juvenile. Law is aimed to strengthen defense mechanisms of child rights, as well as improve national legal framework and legal precedents in connection with fulfillment of International conventions;  At the same time, was adopted the Law «On Making Amendments and Additions into Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan» and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Guarantees of Child Rights ». Legal act was drawn up in the framework of implementation of requirements of Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) in national legislation prescribing the minimum age for employment – the age of finishing of compulsory and the age under 15 years. According to additions made into legislation of Uzbekistan, the minimum age for employment is defined as 16 years; Article 77 of Labor Code foresees that for purposes of preparation to labor of the youth – students of regular schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges when they are not studying, persons who have attained the age of fifteen years may be employed subject to written approval from one of the parents or proxy parents. Furthermore, they may be exacted only to light labor not harmful to health and development, not disturbing education;  In Republic executive organs system for defense of child rights in labor is formed: Complex of Cabinet of Ministers on Protection of Family, Maternity and Childhood; Special Commission under Cabinet of Ministers on Juvenile; district State Legal Inspections of Labor; district Inspections on Labor Protection. 27 Apart from the government, public organizations have also participated in elaboration of laws, particularly: Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, «Soglom Avlod Uchun» International Fund, «Kamolot»Social Youth Movement, «Sen Elgiz Emassan» Republican Child Fund, «Haet», Child Fund and others. Labor rights of child is also recognized in Government Program on Restructuring of Health System, Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Education», National Program on Staff Training, National Governmental Program on Development of School Education, as well as in such large-scale governmental social programs as «Healthy Generation», «Mother and Child», «Year of Family», «Year of Health», «Year of Social Protection», «Year of Youth», «Year of Harmoniously Developed Generation». Owing to these measures wide range of measures on arranging required conditions for upbringing of healthy and harmoniously developed generation, development of comprehensively intelligent youth are being implemented in the country. According to Decree of Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 26 March 2012 No. 82 «On Additional Measures on Implementation in 2012-2013 Forced Labor Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention» ratified by the Republic of Uzbekistan implementation of measures on improvement of legislation and taking additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, as well as worst forms of child labor was continued. This Decree defines Plan of additional measures on implementation of Forced Labor Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention. This Plan of Activities includes the following:  Improvement of regulatory framework in the field of worst forms of child labor. Activities of this stage are directed at: a) Elaboration of draft Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Amending and Additions into Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan" envisaging inclusion in Labor Code of provisions:  on additional guarantees of job placement for the graduates of vocational secondary, professional and higher education institutions who studied under government grants (job placement in accordance with type of education and skills under job referral of the state organs);  on procedures and conditions of part-time job of the persons who study in higher and vocational secondary, professional education institutions b) Elaboration of draft Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Amending and Additions Into the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Labor Protection" envisaging:  increasing of responsibility of employers and employees for failure to observe conditions of occupational safety and health for students during on-the-job training;  provision of safe labor conditions for juvenile c) Preparation of draft governmental decisions on improvement of regulatory framework envisaging amendments and additions with regard to regulation of family entrepreneurship specifying in them norms of participation of children whose age is 15 to 18 years. d) Elaboration and approval in due course of workplace safety rules for educational and job training workshops of institutions.  Taking measures on implementation of Forced Labor Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention; Activities of this stage are directed at: 28 a) Translation into the national language of conventions ratified by Uzbekistan and recommendations of ILO, with their publication as collection for the further dessimination among population and employers; b) Virtuous control of prevention by the enterprises, agencies, organizations and individuals of child labor and compliance with statutory standards and conditions of juvenile labor, as well as requirements of Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention; c) Control of compliance with labor legislation on the ground with regard to the minimum age for employment and conditions of labor for persons under the age of 18; d) Public control of prevention of forced child labor in the territory of citizens government bodies (in the sphere of individual building, workmanship, etc.); e) Monitoring and control of prevention of forced labor of students of regular schools, professional colleges and academic lyceums; f) Outreach in regular schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges by arrangement of training workshops in counter-trafficking, prevention of forced labor; g) Improving cooperation between education institutions and citizens government bodies, directed at:  control of students unfoundedly absent in classes;  increasing public influence on parents of the students who do not attend classes;  taking comprehensive measures on returning of unfoundedly absent students to classes h) Strengthening of control of students attendance in education institutions, with investigation of each case of systematic absence of students; i) Personal responsibility of the heads of education institutions for all required measures on provision of full students attendance and preservation of enrollment; j) Design and introduction in schools (for seniors), lyceums and colleges of small specialized programs on rights of minors and provisions of ILO conventions ratified by Uzbekistan; k) Taking measures on job placement of the graduates of professional colleges, including by creation of target employment for youth, conducting specialized job opportunities fairs, arrangement of early assignment of the graduates of education institutions to concrete employment; l) Arrangement and carrying out of regular monitoring of children from poor families, preparation and taking of measures on prevention of violence in respect of child in the family; m) Monitoring of prevention of forced labor of the students of regular schools in cotton harvesting.  Awareness-raising campaign on implementation of Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, including: a) Preparation of draft Program on coverage in mass media of information materials about content of Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention ratified by the Republic of Uzbekistan; b) Briefing about implementation of conventions of International Labor Organization in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, worst forms of child labor with participation of representatives of concerned ministries and departments; c) Awareness-raising work among the farmers of Uzbekistan about observation of legislation when labor of persons under the age of 18 years is used. Retreats for household farms on: "Conventions and recommendations of ILO, issues of their implementation in legal system of Uzbekistan"; d) Distribution of information materials (brochures, booklets) about content of Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention ratified by the Republic of Uzbekistan among the employers and citizens government bodies; e) Preparation of measures on target-oriented informing of parents about consequences of worst forms of child labor; f) Drawing up and distribution in education institutions of information materials (banners, posters) about securing rights of child, including in labor, and prevention of worst forms of child labor; g) Provision of participation of Uzbek delegations in international conferences on child labor and informing international public about position of Uzbekistan on this range of issues.  Implementation of international cooperation projects on prevention of worst forms of child labor. 29 Thus, measures taken in the Republic of Uzbekistan witness fulfillment of accepted international commitments and international standards of ILO in prevention and prohibition of child labor, provision of legal mechanisms to defense the child rights in labor and consecutive delivery of National action plan on implementation of Conventions of International Labor Organization No.138 and No.182 approved by Government of Uzbekistan. Amendments and additions made on basis of laws approved by the Senate of Oliy Majlis, consolidating legal guarantees of the rights of young generation in the country, also harmonize national legislation with international regulations. In country, sustainable system of administrative-legal defence of rights of minors is formed guaranteed by provisions of the Constitution, Family, and Labor, Criminal Codes and other enactments and provisions. 1.3 Key stakeholders and institutes of the project Main role of the key stakeholders and institutes of key project consists of elaboration, introduction, fulfillment, control and supervision of arrangement and administration of national of justice, as well as implementation of prohibition of child and forced adult labor. These institutes bear direct responsibility for fulfillment of main functions on prohibition of child and forced adult labor at the national, regional and local levels. Among them are the following national institutes and organizations: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population and its Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul district subdivisions Major tasks of this Ministry are:  Development of proposals on improvement of legislation in labor, employment and social protection of population with due regard to long-term priorities of social-economic development;  Preparation and implementation of efficient activities on development and regulation of labor-market, provision of employment of population, introduction of progressive forms of job placement with due regard to demographic factors and prospects of development of economy;  Provision to the jobless, primarily youth, women, disabled people, the sound services on professional development and job placement, as well as on financial support to the jobless;  Virtuous and target measures on social protection of the lonely elderly, invalids, poor families and other vulnerable categories of population, improvement of mechanisms of social services, strengthening of medical- social facilities;  Control of observation of legislation in labor, employment and social protection of population, measures on improvement of labor relations, incentives mechanisms and occupational safety and health. Employment Promotion Centers are at the same time the structural subdivisions of relevant khokimiyats and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population. There are centers in each district of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including in Republic of Karakalpakstan. Employment Promotion Centers assist in job placement, education, professional development of the jobless and jobseekers, set and pay out unemployment compensations. Centers also organize engagement of the jobless in temporary remunerated public works, including repair, rehabilitation and cleaning of the irrigation and drainage systems. Under implementation of ratified conventions of International Labor Organization, improvement of legislation and taking of additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, as well as worst forms of child labor, Cabinet of Ministers has entrusted to Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population and its subdivisions the following functions: 30 i. Coordinate activity of state organs and management, public authorities on the ground and other agencies on ensuring of fulfillment of duties resulting from the stated conventions and plan of activities; ii. Systemic monitoring and virtuous control of prevention of child labor by the enterprises, agencies, organizations and individuals, and compliance with statutory standards and conditions of juvenile labor; iii. Monitoring of prevention of forced labor of students of regular schools in cotton harvesting; iv. Virtuous control of prevention of child labor by the enterprises, agencies, organizations and individuals and compliance with statutory standards and conditions of juvenile labor, as well as requirements of Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention; v. Arranging safe conditions for juvenile labor; vi. Taking measures on job placement of the graduates of professional colleges, including by creation of target employment for youth, conducting specialized job opportunities fairs, arrangement of early assignment of the graduates of education institutions to concrete employment. Ministry of Economics and its Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul district subdivisions Ministry of Economics and its regional subdivisions is the key state authority responsible for planning and implementation of programs on social-economic development, including development of agriculture and water resources sector, involvement of international agencies in implementation of projects, etc. Activity of Ministry is directed at resolving the following tasks:  ensuring macroeconomic stability, sustainable, balanced and dynamic development of economy; development of heterogeneous and effectively functioning economy, securing leading role of private property, development of market infrastructure;  creation of new employment, handling the problems of rational employment, strengthening of targeted social protection of population, ensuring sustainable, progressive growth in the living standard of population, development of social infrastructure;  ensuring proportional development of economy in the regions of the country, optimal and efficient development and location of the production in territory of Republic Major tasks Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Uzbekistan are:  drawing up clever strategy for further liberalization and restructuring of economy on the assumption of purposes and priorities of development and democratic reforms of society, introduction of market methods and mechanisms of management of economy;  systemic analysis of main macroeconomic indicators, rate of economic and social development of the Republic, regions and sectors, studying of economic development trends and social processes, revelation of existing disproportions in economy and justification of ways of their negotiation;  preparation of demographic forecasts, programs on increasing of target social protection of population, saturation of domestic consumer market, growth in prosperity of people, development of social infrastructure;  preparation of medium-term forecast for structural reforms of economy, development programs, upgrading of the sectors, local manufacturing content, introduction of advanced resource saving technologies;  drawing up of proposals on encouragement of export potential development, optimization of foreign-trade and payments balances, preparation of forecasts for export of goods (works, services), participation in formulization of strategy on integration of Republic into global economic system;  coordination of work on cooperation with international financial structures, foreign financial and insurance institutes and and donor countries for purposes of their active involvement in investment projects of significance for Republic; 31  study and assessment of land-water resources, preparation of short-term and long-term balances of land and water resources and measures on rational use of land fund with due regard to introduction of efficient technologies, scientifically justified systems of land tenure and prospects of cropping pattern;  systematic monitoring of state and preparation of program on development and cross-industry networks (local content and export-oriented manufacturing) sectors for their technical upgrading based on advanced resource saving technologies on the assumption of market conditions;  coordination of work on development of strategy for preparation of skilled labor for all sectors of economy on the assumption of securing the balance of labor-market;  organization of scope and structure of supply of products (works and services) for the government needs in due course;  organization in due course and control of implementation of mobilization plan on country’s economy Ministry of Health and its Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul district subdivisions Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the central State administrative body of health. Major tasks of the Ministry are:  implementation of government policy preserving and improving population’s health, arrangement of conditions for upbringing of healthy generation, development of preventive health, promotion of healthy lifestyle;  ensuring observance of constitutional rights of citizens to competent medical services, guaranteed government level and quality of health care of population, equal access of population to all types of medical services;  creation of regulatory framework for restructuring of sector, preparation and arrangement of conditions for implementation of targeted programs on development of health;  arrangement and strengthening of the system of rescue emergency aid care to population at all levels of health management;  improving efficiency of use of budget allocated for protection of population’s health, rais ing of extra budgetary funds, foreign investment and proceeds of international agencies for financing of target programs and consolidation of material-technical base of health,  sanitary and epidemiological safety of population and in conjunction with concerned organs protect the territory of the Republic from the importation and spreading of quarantine and highly infectious diseases and others Ministry carries out activities on diseases prevention, medical aid; control of timely skilled and qualitative medical aid to population by medical facilities; prevention from infectious and non-contagious diseases, as well as professional diseases related to adverse impact of surrounding medium and labor activity factors on the human health; elaborates and approves sanitary norms, rules, health standards; carries out state sanitation supervision over their observance, etc. Under implementation of ratified conventions of International Labor Organization, improvement of legislation and taking additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, as well as worst forms of child labor, Cabinet of Ministers entrusted to Ministry of Health organization and carrying out of regular monitoring of children from poor families, preparation and taking of measures on prevention of damaging of child’s health in the family. Ministry of Higher and Vocational Secondary Education and its Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul district subdivisions Major tasks of the Ministry are:  implementation of unified government policy in higher education and vocational secondary, professional education; 32  development and improvement of higher education and vocational secondary, professional education system in the Republic with due regard to the best practices;  fulfillment of purposes and tasks contemplated by national programs on staff training at higher and vocational secondary, professional education institutions;  coordination of activity of higher and vocational secondary, professional education institutions of the Republic regardless of their departmental affiliation and proprietary form, implementation of requirements of government educational standards and other requirements of education, quality of professional training of specialists and others. For fulfillment of tasks the Ministry carries out the following functions:  delivery of Law of Republic of Uzbekistan «On Education» and National program on staff training at higher education institutions and other subordinate organizations system Ministry;  monitoring of implementation of National program on staff training in higher education system;  spiritual-ethical upbringing of the younger generation in higher and vocational secondary, professional education institutions,  control of economic, production and financial activity of higher education institutions, enterprises and organizations of the Ministry;  university sports contests and other sports activities for students and other functions in due course For implementation of ratified conventions of International Labor Organization, improvement of legislation and taking additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, as well as worst forms of child labor, Cabinet of Ministers entrusted to Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Secondary Education: i. development and distribution of information materials (banners, posters) about securing child rights, including in labor, and prevention of worst forms of child labor in educational institutions, ii. further improvement of system of additional guarantees for job placement of the graduates of vocational secondary, professional and higher education institutions who have studied under government grants (job placement in accordance with education type and skills under job referral of the state organs); iii. strengthening of control of students attendance in education institutions, with investigation of each case of systematic absence of students in classes; iv. personal responsibility of the heads of education institutions for all required measures on provision of full students attendance and preservation of enrollment; v. monitoring and control of prevention of forced labor of the students of regular schools, professional colleges and academic lyceums; vi. conducting outreach in regular schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges by arrangement of training workshops on counter-trafficking, prevention of forced labor Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources MAWR, particularly Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources Republic of Karakalpakstan, is the State administrative body in agriculture and water resources. Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and departments of Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul districts are the State administrative bodies on the ground implementing agricultural policy on improving efficiency of agricultural production, productivity of irrigated land and rational use of land and water. Departments of agriculture and water resources are financed from the national budget, as well as fees of the farmers and payments from economic activity of their subdivisions. Major functions are:  control of target use of land resources, including in livestock farms; 33  control of fulfillment of contractual obligations by household farms;  making-out of a water balance for region based on list of applications and prediction of water resources;  uninterrupted water supply and rational use of water;  provision of consultancy services to the farmers in agricultural production;  provision of reliable operation of canals, collectors, reservoirs, hydraulic structures, pumping stations, communication and power transmission lines, as well as other communications;  services on maintenance of land reclaiming systems in farms;  control of land improvement;  control of design, construction and reconstruction of objects related to use of land and water resources General Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Karakalpakstan , cities, Beruni, Ellikkala and Turtkul districts General Prosecutor’s Office supervises fulfillment of laws by the ministries, state committees, departments, citizens government bodies, public associations, enterprises, agencies, organizations, khokims and other officials; supervises fulfillment of laws on securing the rights and freedom of citizen. During implementation of ratified conventions of International Labor Organization, improvement of legislation and taking additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, Cabinet of Ministers entrusted to Prosecutor’s Office: i. supervision over fulfillment of Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Labor Protection" envisaging increasing of responsibility employers and employees for failure to observe the conditions of occupational safety and health for students during on-the-job training; ii. provision of safe conditions for juvenile labor; iii. personal responsibility of the heads of education institutions for all required measures on provision of full students attendance and preservation of enrollment iv. monitoring of prevention of forced labor of the students of regular schools in cotton harvesting Commission on Juvenile Affairs under Cabinet of Ministers, Commission on Juvenile Affairs under Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan; Commissions are established for purposes of:  prevention of neglect, homelessness, delinquency and other antisocial actions among minors, revelation and elimination of reasons and conditions contributing them;  securing protection of rights, freedom and legal interests of minors;  social-pedagogical rehabilitation of minors being in socially hazardous condition Commission may include representatives of the public education organs, vocational secondary, professional education, health, off-budget pension scheme under the Ministry of Finance, labor and social protection of population, interior, as well as representatives of Women’s Committee, unions, nongovernmental noncommercial organizations, defense assistance societies, workers’ associations, social and other agencies. Activity of commission is carried out with participation of the public. Commission invites to its proceedings the representatives of unions, parents’ committees, guardian councils of education institutions, citizens government bodies and other representatives of the public. Major tasks commissions under Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan are: 34  taking measures on protection and restoration of rights, freedom and legal interests of minors, revelation and elimination of reasons and conditions contributing to neglect, homelessness, delinquency and other antisocial actions among minors;  coordination of government, citizens government bodies and nongovernmental noncommercial organizations’ activities on preventing homelessness and delinquency among minors, protection of their rights, freedom and legal interests In accordance with entrusted tasks, Commissions under Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, khokimiyats regions:  prepare and carry out activities on preventing homelessness and delinquency among minors, elimination of reasons of these events, settlement of children and protection of their rights, freedom and legal interests;  control, direct and coordinate activity of district (city) commissions;  summarize and share positive experience of the bodies and agencies dealing with prevention of neglect and delinquency among minors, provide them with organizational and methodological aid;  coordinate activity of the government, citizens government bodies and nongovernmental noncommercial organizations to prevent neglect and delinquency among minors, protect of their rights, freedom and legal interests;  examine resolutions of districts (city) commissions and cancel illegal or unreasonable resolutions For purpose of taking of additional measures on preventing forced or compulsory labor, Cabinet of Ministers entrusted to Commission with functions on: i. virtuous control of prevention of child labor and compliance with statutory standards and conditions of juvenile labor, as well as requirements of Minimum age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention; ii. increasing of control of attendance students classes in education institutions, with investigation of each case of systematic absence students classes; iii. personal responsibility of the heads of education institutions for all required measures on provision of full students attendance and preservation of enrollment Farmers’ Board Farmers’ Board unifies dehkan and farm enterprises as well as small enterprises for processing agricultural products. The Board protects and represents farmers’ interests in state owned and other companies. The main functions and activities of Farmers’ Board include drafting proposals on improving the legislation in farmery development, strengthening of farm enterprises’ material and financial resources and ensuring reliable protection of their property interests, protection of farm enterprises’ rights and legitimate interests including relationships with state administration bodies, local authorities, procurement, supply and service companies and also during the trials. The Farmers’ Board has the following functions:  Institutional development of farmery, create effective mechanisms for self-government of farms, improve their relations with state administration bodies, and with procurement, supply and service companies;  Promote economic independence and financial stability of farm enterprises, encourage farmers’ interest in efficient use of land and water resources, promote mechanization and increase profitability through implementation of modern technologies and complex processing of agricultural raw materials, and establish and develop new factories and services sector. Farmers’ Boards are involved in public control to ensure openness, transparency and legitimacy in creation and reorganization of farmer enterprises, allocation of land plots for a long-term lease; assist in development 35 of multifunctional farmer enterprises, introduction of water-saving technologies, in particular technology of drip irrigation, and introduction of modern information and communication technologies. Khokimiyats of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, cities and districts of project area. In accordance with the legislation, khokims are personally responsible for the development of regions. Key functions of khokims include:  Management of economic, social and cultural activities;  Ensure implementation of social and economic development programs, including agricultural production program;  Mobilization of regional and inter-industry resources to increase productivity and to address social issues;  Arrange activities on privatization and denationalization;  Promote international and interregional economic relations;  Local budget performance;  Guarantee legitimacy, public order and individual safety;  Manage local public utility companies, social and culture sphere and environment protection, etc. Most of Khokimiyat departments have dual subordination (for example, Economic Department of Khokimiyat reports not only to Khokim but also to the Ministry of Economy; Labor and Social Welfare Department reports to the Ministry of Labor; Agriculture and Water Resources Department reports to the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, etc.). Makhallya is a local self-government body – local community board of small towns, kishlaks, auls and city makhallyas. Local Community Board (LCB) is the highest local self-government body with the right to represent population interests, make decisions on its behalf and act within the relevant area. LCB is empowered to deal with almost all the issues related to organization of public services and amenities and infrastructure improvement, including the following:  Improvement and development of local social infrastructure, including provision of portable water and natural gas;  Along with public authorities participate in solving the issues on land plots allocation for dehkan and farm enterprises and for constructions;  5 Organization of khashars for improvement of the area, construction of social infrastructure objects and cleanup of irrigation and drainage systems, etc.;  Ensure that citizens pay for utility services in full and in time using active outreach and social influence methods with respect to households that have debts for utility services. The Cabinet of Ministers imposed the following tasks on Khokimiyats, Makhallyas, Women’s Committee and Kamolot Social Movement of Youth to implement ratified conventions of the International Labor Organization, improve legislation and take additional measures to prevent forced and compulsive labor and the worst forms of child labor:  Public control to prevent the use of forced child labor in the territories of local self-government bodies (in private building, handicrafts, etc.);  Regular monitoring of children from disadvantaged families; measures to prevent domestic violence against children; 5 Khashar is an unpaid clean-up event to assist in improvement of the area, construction and other kind of works carried out voluntarily by citizens. Khashar is a traditional and generally accepted event. 36  On-site monitoring and control to prevent the use of forced labor of students of secondary schools, vocational colleges and academic lyceums;  Explanatory works in secondary schools, academic lyceums and vocational colleges through workshops on actions against human trafficking, prevention the forced labor;  Monitoring at the local level to prevent the use of forced child (schoolchildren) labor in cotton picking;  Improved cooperation between education institutions and local self-government agencies to control the students, unreasonably missing the classes; increased social influence on parents of the students who miss classes; comprehensive measures on getting unreasonably absent students back to classes;  Improved control over the attendance in education institutions with detailed examination of each case of systematic absenteeism. 37 Chapter II Assessment of possible contribution of the project against the use of forced labor Forced child and adult labor is prohibited in Uzbekistan and employers are aware of national legislation and regulations prohibiting the use of forced labor. According to the monitoring carried out during the period of September 11 - October 31, 2013 by international experts of the ILO together with experts from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Trade Unions Federation Council, Chamber of Commerce and the Farmers’ Board, no cases of forced child labor were identified. The monitoring involved 10 international experts and 40 observers. Experts made 806 visits to farm enterprises, education institutions and cotton picking sites, and conducted 1,592 documented interviews. ILO observers summarized the results of monitoring of cotton pick in 2013 in Uzbekistan and found no cases of systematic child exploitation. ILO observers witnessed that people are aware that the use of under-18-child labor in cotton picking is prohibited. Local authorities took active part in controlling the compliance with prohibition of child and forced adult labor and assumed immediate measures in isolated cases of breach of this prohibition. Control over the school attendance is enhanced during the cotton picking season to avoid involvement of children in cotton picking campaign. Although employees of state-finance organizations (doctors, teachers and other employees of public sector) and students (along with farmers) were annually involved in cotton picking in years past, the survey reported no case of using the child and forced adult labor in cotton picking in the project districts over the last 2-3 years. 2.1 Evidences of forced labor in project area Focus group discussions, expert interviews and household surveys carried out within the framework of the project helped to collect and assess evidences or refutation of child and forced adult labor, the way it was arranged, its scope, communication channels, and possible fines. The results of expert interviews and focus group discussions showed that population, including owners of farm enterprises, is aware of acting national and international legislation prohibiting forced labor, including child labor. All participants of 6 focus group discussions share the same opinion. The minimum employment age established by the national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan is 18, i.e. the age of graduation from specialized secondary educational institution and attaining majority. Children of minority age cannot be involved in work; moreover they cannot be forced to any work including agricultural works. All participants of focus group discussions are aware of acting national legislation on compulsory 12-year education, reinforcing legislation envisaging employment age of 18. The main conditions of using the labor are envisaged the Labor Code of Uzbekistan and other regulations listed in the previous chapter. Below are the opinions of focus group discussions participants: “We have the law according to which people can work starting from age 18. In case of production, we have Labor Code. It states that one under eighteen can work no more than 2 hours…” Head of Water Resource Balance Department, Pakhta – Arna, Ellikkala district 38 “…. minor children do not have the right to work… they have to go to school….we have 12-year compulsory education…” Chairman of farm enterprise, Beruniy district Participants of four focus group discussions out of six believe that children above 16 can be involved subject to limited hours per day or per week. “… children above 16 have the right to work half-days …” Specialist of IND Pakhta-Arna, Turtkul district “…16 years old child has right to work 4 hours a day...” Doctor, Rural Health Center, Turtkul district Population in of project districts takes an active part in agricultural works on voluntary basis in addition to their main job. It refers not only to public agencies’ employees but also to private entities. Population of project districts participate on their own in improvement of the area, called “Khashar”. S uch works are carried out on a regular basis, several times per month and mainly include digging and cleaning of irrigation ditches (aryks), installation of water pumps, landscape gardening, construction of children’s playground, pollution control etc. “Khashar” is carried out on weekends, in spare time, on one’s own accord rather than by enforcement. Participants of all focus group discussions confirmed such commitment of population. “… people go to Khasar…in their spare on their own …”. Chairman of Buston Makhallya Committee, Beruniy district “…we go to Khashar on weekends…television also shows that there is Subbotnik (clean-up event) every Saturday in Tashkent …” Chairman of Akhunbabaev Makhallya Committee, Beruniy district “…Eshon-ep small town carries out clean-up works on their own steam through khashars…” Chairman of Nuroniy Fund, Turtkul district Participation in improvement of areas, landscape gardening, and agricultural works is voluntary not only for the population but also for the main category of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions. This condition is of special importance for project districts since the survey showed the high level of employment in public sector and state-financed institutions. 70% of all interviewed households (210 households out of total interviewed households) work in public sector and state-financed institutions: Every fourth respondent works in administrative body/ local self-government body (Khokimiyats, Makhalya Committees, etc.). Every third respondent in Ellikkala district works in education institutions (preschools, schools, lyceums/colleges, universities) and health facilities (hospitals, polyclinics, maternity houses, etc.). The same employment is typical for every fifth respondent in Beruniy and Turtkul districts. 39 Every seventh respondent in project areas is the employee of law-enforcement authorities (police, traffic police, military, etc.). The diagrams below represents employment rate of household heads in various public sector organizations and state-financed institutions. 40 Diagram 1 Employment rate of household heads in various public sector organizations and state-financed institutions, % Beruniy district Turtkul district Ellikkala district Source: Household survey Over 70% of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions participate in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works, and other social activities in the district/city. During the survey the Consultant noted that employees of public sector and state-financed institutions continue to take active part in improvement of area, landscape gardening and maintaining the cleanness and order in surrounding area. Although participants of expert interviews and focus group discussions noted that employees of public sector and state-financed institutions take part in improvement of the areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities in their spare time, on weekends, the results of the interview show the work time expenditures for improvement of the areas and seasonal harvesting works. On the average, employees of public sector and state-financed institutions (those who take part in improvement of areas) spend no more than 15% of their working hours for such activities. The diagram below shows breakdown of working hours of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who take part in improvement of areas. 41 Diagram 2 Breakdown of working hours of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who take part in improvement of areas, % / hours per month Beruniy district Turtkul district Ellikkala district Source: Household survey 42 Public sector and state-financed institutions employees spend the main share of working hours on performance of their duties. Employees of public sector and state-financed institutions in Turtkul and Ellikkala districts spend no more than 15% of their working hours on seasonal harvesting works. Employees of public sector and state-financed institutions in Beruniy district spend up to 25% of their working hours for the same works. It should be noted that provisions of the employment agreement allow the employees of public sector and state-financed institutions to spend approximately 10-15 working days for the whole period of seasonal works for voluntarily involvement in agricultural works with retention of salary. Such condition gives opportunity to public sector employees to earn extra money for their families. This is also confirmed by household survey. Absolute majority of interviewed households (on the average, 87% of all interviewed households) noted that they get extra payment / incentives for the active involvement in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works. The below diagram shows the breakdown of spare time per month for employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who take part in improvement of areas. Diagram 3 Breakdown of spare time of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions who participate if improvement of areas, %/hours per month Source: Household survey Every second employee of public sector and state-financed institutions in Beruniy district spends no more than 24 hours per month for improvement of areas. Every second employee of state owned company in Ellikkala district spends no more than 48 hours to for improvement of areas, and no more than 120 hours per month in Turtkul district (cumulatively). The results of quantitative survey are confirmed by the qualitative survey, which suggests that project area population is regularly and actively involved in improvement of areas on weekends, and in spare time. Chiefs of department and/or organization managers, representatives of district /city khokimiyat act as the main communication channel informing about the possibility to participate in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities. 43 Diagram 4 Who informs about the possibility to participate in improvement of areas / seasonal harvesting works and other social activities, % Source: Household survey People participating improvement of areas /seasonal harvesting works are provided with transportation at the expense of facilitator/employer or farmer. This is evidenced by results of household survey in project area – 85% of all respondents and opinion of all participants of focus group discussions. In case if farm is located not far from the village, those who wish to participate in works can take a walk. “… Everybody who wished to participate took part in this event. Buses, meals and daily allowances were provided…” Director of Buston Academic Lyceum, Ellikkala district “… Farms are located not far from the villages. If the farm is located far away, farmers should hire vehicle to take workers to the field, arrange lunch for them, and take back home in the evening. People do not live in the fields…” Participants, Beruniy district “…If field is located far away from residence area, farmer hires vehicle at his own expense. He also arranges hot lunch and takes people back home in the evening…” Specialist of Cultural Education Department in district khokimiyat, Advisor to Chairman of Tashkent Makhalla Committee According to results of the household survey, expert interviews and focus group discussions, improvement of areas /seasonal harvesting works are voluntary for all, including the employees of public sector and state-financed institutions. Absolute majority of interviewed households (on the average, 88% of all employees of public sector and state-financed institutions in project districts) in project districts say that management takes no measures against those who cannot or doesn’t want to take part in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities for any reasons. It’s because the participation in these works is voluntary. On the average, 88% of all employees of public sector and state-financed institutions share this opinion. 44 According to survey, 2-3 years ago some organizations in project districts requested employee to find a replacement for improvement works if he/she cannot participate, and used such measures as dismissal and reprimands from management. However, at the moment of survey, the Consultant revealed that the share of such measures is not significant as compared to situation in last 2-3 years. This is due to close control over the compliance with legislation and regulations on involving in social works. Workers are involved in agricultural works only on voluntarily basis without any coercion. Diagram 5 Measures taken towards employees of public sector and state-financed institutions if they for any reasons cannot or don’t want to take part in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities in project districts, % Source: Household survey The diagram below shows the share of public sector and state-financed institutions employees involved in the improvement of area, seasonal harvesting and other works: 45 Diagram 6 Share of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions involved in the improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities, % Beruniy district Turtkul district Ellikkala district Source: Household survey Employees of administrative bodies / local self-government bodies (Khokimiyats, Mmakhalla Committees, LCB, etc.), health facilities (hospitals, clinics, maternity houses, etc.) in Beruniy district regularly take part in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities. Absolute majority of respondents share such opinion. Every second respondent believes that employees of law-enforcement bodies (police, traffic police, military, etc.) and education institutions (preschools, schools, lyceums/colleges, and universities) are also involved on regular basis. Moreover, every second respondent believes that employees of public sector and state-financed institutions were involved in improvement of area more frequently than a year ago. Majority of respondents in Turtkul district noted that employees of education institutions (preschools, schools, lyceums/colleges, and universities) do not take part in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities. Every second respondent shares the same opinion with regard to employees of law- 46 enforcement bodies (police, traffic police, military, etc.) and health facilities (hospitals, polyclinics, maternity houses, etc.). Majority of respondents noted that employees of administrative bodies /local self-government bodies (Khokimiyats, Makhallya Committees, LCB, etc.) are rarely involved in such works. Every second respondent in this district believes that employees of public sector and state-financed institutions are not involved at all in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities. 47 Most of respondents in Ellikkala district believe that employees of law-enforcement bodies (police, traffic police, military, etc.) are not involved in such works. Whereas the opinions of every second respondent divided on regularity of involvement of administrative bodies/local self-government bodies (Khokimiyats, Makhalla Committees, LCB, etc.) health facilities (hospitals, polyclinics, maternity houses) and education institutions (preschools, schools, lyceums/colleges, and universities). Respondents in this district believe that the employees of public sector and state-financed institutions were less involved in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities over the last year. Diagram 7 What has changed in involvement of people in improvement of areas/seasonal harvesting works and other social activities as compared to last year, % Source: Household survey Although the survey confirmed that employees of public sector and state-financed institutions in project districts are still involved in improvement of areas/ seasonal harvesting works and other social activities, this involvement is voluntary and is encouraged by additional incentives, people are involved in their spare time with no detriment to their main job. All participants of focus group discussions share the same opinion: “… people go to khashar voluntary… in their spare time …” Chairman of Buston Makhallya Committee, Beruniy district “… Teachers can take part in cotton picking after classes. We conduct khashars. Cotton is our national wealth. And nobody is forced pick it…” Head of Agriculture and Water Resources Department under the district Hhokimiyat, Ellikkala district “… Both doctors and teachers know that they cannot be disturbed during their work time. Everybody is well aware of his own rights now and will stand up for himself. If a teacher is asked to participate in cotton picking and he refuses to go, he will not be punished… ” Deputy Director, Construction and Transport College # 10, Beruniy district 48 Children can also take part in improvement of areas. However, they do not do hard work. Such assistance to adults and participation in community works contributes to socialization of children, exposure to the national values and traditions, maintains social activity of children and promotes commitment and cultivate love to labor and cleanness in children. Participants of all focus group discussions and interviewed experts clearly stated that involvement of children in such social activities does not imply hard or dangerous work with possible damage to health or psychological well-being of children. Thus, involvement of children in improvement of areas, landscape gardening, tree planting, and area cleaning is not considered as breach of national or international legislation. Children in project districts do some housekeeping work; help their parents, relatives (to the extent that their age and skills allow). Children are not involved in agricultural works for 2-3 years now. “… It is unpleasant to see dirty streets. Therefore we arrange khashars also involving high school students. Each student cleans his own territory near the school. They do it after classes and once in a while not every day. …” Specialist of Cultural Education Department in district khokimiyat, Advisor to Chairman of Tashkent Makhalla Committee, Turtkul district “…a child can start helping his parents ….” Chairman of Makhalla Fund, Ellikkala district “… Khashar are only used to accustom children to work. We give them little shovel and teach them, show them how and what to do…children are not involved in harvesting even in July… it’s all done by adults” Deputy Director, Social and Economic College, Ellikkala district “… This is only to get them used to labor, only with this purpose. For example, we have three ares of land. Children plant flowers, watch how to water and treat them. Children should get used to diligence… ” Chairman of Navoi Makhalla Committee, Ellikkala district “…voluntary Saturday clean-up works is our mentality…. Once in a week we have an ecology day, when we clean school and home territory. This accustoms children to labor and cleanness… ” Deputy Khokim on Women’s Issues, Turtkul district “… Adults should teach children to love and respect the labor…”. Deputy Head of District Education Department, Ellikkala district All the participants of expert interviews conducted in project districts confirmed the provisions of regulations and legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan prohibiting the use of child labor and forced adult labor in agricultural works. There is a control and compliant processing mechanism in place in project area to ensure compliance with the legislation regulating involvement of workers in agricultural works (harvesting) (for more details see para 2.4). The main control over the compliance with the prohibition of child labor and forced adult labor is with local authorities. According to focus group discussions Malkhalla Committees and district Khokimiyats play important role in conflict solving, processing of complaints and claims on all social issues. All participants of six focus group discussions share the same opinion. 49 Participants of all discussions are also aware of the possibility of conflict solving, processing of complaints on forced labor in law enforcement bodies, public prosecution office, and judicial bodies. The main bodies controlling compliance with prohibition of child and forced adult labor include: 1) Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its subdivisions; 2) Ministry of Economy and its subdivisions; 3) Ministry of Health and its subdivisions; 4) Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education and its subdivisions; 5) Ministry of Justice and its subdivisions; 6) General Prosecutor’s Office, City and District Prosecutor’s Office; 7) Commission on Juvenile Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers and its subdivisions; 8) The Federation Council of Trade Unions; 9) The Chamber of Commerce; 10) The Farmers’ Board (Association of farm enterprises up to 2012); 11) Local authorities, including Khokimiyats and Makhallya Committees; and 12) Kamolot Youth Social Movement, Makhalla Fund, National Centre of Human Rights, Women’s Committee. Participants of all focus group discussions mentioned the following entities as the main bodies controlling the compliance with prohibition of child labor:  Makhalla Fund;  Khokimiyat;  Public Education Departments, including Rayon Education Department, and principals of schools, colleges and lyceums. Participants of three of six focus group discussions also mentioned Kamolot Social Movement of Youth as the controlling body ensuring harmonious development of youth. Control over compliance with prohibition of child labor in agricultural works is primarily imposed on parents. Below are the opinions of focus group discussions participants on implementation of control over compliance with prohibition of child labor: “……This year, we – Women’s Committee, Makhalla Fund - visited schools to make sure that children are not involved in cotton picking…We visited fields to see if there were any are children. We also made sure that there are no children even on roadside of cotton fields. … You know, that makhallas have juvenile commissions. They mainly deal with schools and colleges. They provide us with the information and we inform makhalla advisers. Makhalla advisers in their turn checks why students do not attend classes…” Chairman of Makhalla Fund, Ellikkala district “… Control is exercised together with makhalla. Besides we have all parents’ phone numbers since students can say that they went to school don’t even show up there …We have the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education, Supervision Department in Khokimiyat…” Deputy Director of Social and Economic College, Ellikalin district “…It’s is controlled by makhalla, school principals …’ Chairman of District Women’s Committee, Deputy Khokim on Women Issues, Ellikkala district “…every school principal submits a guarantee letter to the Education Department confirming that he/she will not involve students in cotton picking. Compliance with this is controlled in the morning, 50 afternoon and evening, and if any student is picking cotton, the school principal will get a reprimand…Makhalla control parents…” Chairman of District Makhalla Fund, Turtkul district According to expert interviews, Administrative Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan provides for administrative liability for the breach of acting legislation on prohibition of the use of forced labor. Parents bear full responsibility for their children if the latter are forced to work according to the Article 47 of Administrative Code of Uzbekistan: Neglect of duties on upbringing and education of minor children. If parents or proxy parents neglect duties on upbringing and education of minor children, including neglect that lead to administrative violation by minor children, the formers are imposed fines ranging from half to three times the minimum wage. If parents or proxy parents impede compulsory secondary, secondary specialized and vocational education for children, they are imposed fines ranging from five to ten times the minimum wage. Employer bears responsibility for forced labor, including child labor. “… In case if school student is picking cotton his parents will be admonished…If this happens for the second time, then fines will be imposed upon parents …Farm administrator also controls it. They are also pay fines in such cases…children do not participate in cotton picking on their own concealing it from parents to earn extra cash, because Farm Administrator will send them back home…” Chaiman of Khoresm Makhalla Committee, Beruniy district Participants of four of the six focus group discussions noted that there are fixed fines for involving children in agricultural works. The amount of such fines is defined in accordance with acting regulations of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Participants of only two focus group discussions out of six could mention the fixed amount of fines. “…Farmer is imposed a fine about three times the minimum wage …this will be enough for him. He will never use child labor again…” Chairman of Buston Makhallya Committee, Beruniy district “… there are fines for parents, if they send their child to pick cotton…article 47 of Criminal Code.6 Parents are responsible for their child…fines in the amount of 5 minimum wages. 10 minimum wages for the second violation…” … Farm Administrator, Khodjimukhammad farm enterprise, Turtkul district 6 Consultant makes correction to this extract: Article 47 of Administrative Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (not the Criminal Code as mentioned in this extract): Article 47. Neglect of duties on upbringing and education of minor children. If parents or proxy parents neglect duties on upbringing and education of minor children, including neglect that lead to administrative violation by minor children, the formers are imposed fines ranging from half to three times the minimum wage. If parents or proxy parents impede compulsory secondary, secondary specialized and vocational education for children, they are imposed fines ranging from five to ten times the minimum wage. 51 2.2 Risks of using forced labor Use of child and forced adult labor in most of cases due to the need to provide cheap and sufficient labor to ensure timely implementation of established cotton pick plan. This is due not only to economic development factors (low income, poverty, lack of affordable education/qualification) but also to social and cultural norms (clan system, family relations, family business and farms). Therefore most at risk groups of population that can be involved in forced labor include children, housewives, unemployed and employees of public sector and state-financed institutions. Survey data indicate that children now are not involved in agricultural works, whereas employees of public sector and state-financed institutions are involved on voluntary basis at off-work time and for additional payment and incentives, but no longer than 10-15 working days. Such provision is stipulated in their labor contracts. This allows them to fulfill their responsibilities as per their position. Workers of the following public sector and state-financed institutions are involved in agricultural works more regularly:  Administrative authorities / local self-government bodies (Khokimiyats, Makhalla Committees, local community boards, etc.);  Education institutions (preschools, schools, lyceums/colleges, universities);  Health facilities (hospitals, policlinics, maternity clinics, etc.);  Law enforcement agencies (police, traffic police, military, etc.). Therefore when voluntary involvement condition is breached and people are forced to work, including works in field, there are a number of negative consequences and risks. The main risks include the following:  Economic risks associated with loss of income, dismissal, fines, and limited access to material benefits;  Social risks – health risks associated with deterioration of health status and access to health services / medical care; education risks associated with deterioration of education quality and access to education. Comparison of forced labor and economic risks is based on the necessary conditions of a voluntarily signed labor agreement. Forced labor, in particular for public sector and state-financed institutions staff may be based on threats of deprivation of employee’s income (wages), fines and other financial sanctions, dismissal, which may restrict access to key material benefits. Use of economic sanctions forces employees regardless of their qualifications, skills and knowledge to participate in agricultural works, improvement of areas, etc. Health risks are associated with deterioration of health status and access to health services/medical care. According to statistics outlined in Chapter V, project districts have policlinics and rural health centers. Household survey also confirms availability and operation of such healthcare facilities as policlinics, hospitals, rural health centers, medical and obstetric centers, and other health facilities in project districts. Most of respondents noted availability of policlinics and hospitals in Ellikkala district. Every third responded noted the availability of rural health centers in this district. Availability and operation of policlinics in Beruniy and Turtkul districts was noted by every second respondent. Every second respondent also noted availability of hospitals and rural health centers in Turtkul district. More detailed information is reflected the Diagram below: 52 Diagram 8 Avalability of healthcare facilities in project districts, % Source: Household survey According to survey, these healthcare facilities ensure access (in particular for children) to health services in project districts, including immunization, vaccination, emergency medical care, neonatal care, professional services (dentist, pediatrician, surgeon, etc.). Absolute majority of respondents noted the availability of basic health services. Diagram 9 Health services available to population, in particular for children in project districts, % Source: Household survey Involvement of healthcare workers in forced labor will significantly reduce the quality and access to health services (immunization, services of pediatrician, surgeon, etc.), and people will not be able to receive adequate medical care in emergencies. 53 However, the results of survey in project districts demonstrate that every second respondent evaluates the quality of health services as good. Every third respondent in Beruniy and Ellikkala districts evaluates the quality of health services as excellent. Every third respondent in Turtkul district evaluates the quality of health services as satisfactory. Diagram 10 Quality of health services in project districts, % Source: Household survey Household survey, focus group discussions and expert interviews confirmed that healthcare workers are not forced to participate in improvement of areas and seasonal harvest works. Absolute majority of respondents (on the average, 99% of respondents in project districts) in project districts noted that there is no period/season when health services are not available. All participants of focus group discussions share the common opinion that healthcare workers should perform their core functions to provide quality and medical services. They can contribute to improvement of areas, seasonal harvesting and other social activities in their spare time. “… They go out to the field for picking after their main job if they want to earn extra money...” Head of the Department of Irrigation Network (DIN) Pakhta Arna, Ellikkala district “…No, doctors go out to the filed after work. Since they live in makhalla, they can pick cotton together with their makhalla after their main job…” Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Water Resources Department under the District Khokimiyat, Ellikkala district “…Doctors go in their spare time; otherwise patients will be unattended…” Chairman of farm, Beruniy district Forced involvement of children in agriculture works (works in the field, farmland) can entail threats for children’s health. These threats include skin and eyes allergy due to dust and/or chemical fertilizers. Children are more vulnerable than adults to chemicals used in agriculture. Labor conditions also entail risks: long exposure to heat under sun can cause heat- and sun stroke in children, especially in young children. Insect, gnat and snake bites are also dangerous. 54 However, survey results show that main and most common diseases in children according to respondents include high temperature, flu, acute respiratory infections and cold. In case when children feel bad they call on parents, health workers and teachers. Survey results found no significant indicators for prevalence of such conditions as allergy, injuries, fractures and bruises, sunstrokes, exhaustion, insect bites and other diseases that can be encountered when involving children in agriculture works. Project districts have also education institutions that provide education and training for children staring from preschool age and up to vocational education inclusively. Education is one of the most important factors for human development; it expands opportunities for acquisition of knowledge and skills. Respondents’ opinion on availability of education institutions in project districts is reflected in the diagram below: Diagram 11 Availability of education institutions in project districts, % Source: Household survey Most respondents noted that their children can easily get to educational institutions. The majority of respondents also noted that their children hardly miss classes except for cases of health problems (cold, flu, acute respiratory viral infections, etc.). There is a strict monitoring over school (or other institution) attendance in project districts. The main reason for absenteeism is health problems (high temperature, flu, acute respiratory viral infections). 55 Diagram 12 Does your child miss classes?, % Source: Household survey Involvement of education workers will dramatically decrease the quality of education for younger generation. However, according to the focus-group discussions, healthcare and education workers are not forced; they take part in improvement of areas in their spare time on a voluntary basis. Such opinion was expressed by all participants of focus group discussions conducted in project districts. “…Teachers and health care workers are not involved in field works; they come to Khashar only on weekends …” Doctor of district health facility, Beruniy district “… No. First of all, they should do their main job: teach and treat…” Head of the Agriculture and Water Resources Department under the District Khokimiyat, Ellikkala district “…Sometimes teachers work half a day, and they are free in the afternoon, and therefore they can go. They also go on weekend…” Chairman of the farm, Beruniy district Involvement of children in forced labor may have such negative consequences as drop in the quality of education, impossibility of regular attendance of classes (absence from school reduces the quality of knowledge), lack of time for homework and for extracurricular activities, such as students’ circles and clubs, sports clubs, visiting museums, etc. Children involved in child labor have far more limited access to secondary and vocational education. Quality education and its accessibility to children is the main condition for improving the quality of life. Good education gives a good start for children in future so that they can earn more and keep the family, and escape poverty. The main components of accessible education include its physical accessibility, quality of teaching in school, regular attendance of classes, all-round development through extracurricular activities, and opportunity to receive vocational education. 56 Project districts have also various education institutions that facilitate all-round development of children. According to household survey in Beruniy district, almost every second respondent noted that his children attend extracurricular classes and sports clubs. Every third respondent noted that despite extracurricular classes are available their children do not attend them. Every second respondent in Turtkul district noted that their children do not attend extracurricular classes and sports clubs. Every third responded noted that extracurricular classes are available and their children attend them. Most respondents in Ellikkala district noted that their children attend extracurricular classes. Every second respondent noted that their children attend and do not attend sports clubs. Data in the table below is based on household survey in project districts. Table 3 Extracurricular activities for children in project districts, % Available / my children Available / my children Not available attend them do not attend them Ellikkala district Ellikkala district Ellikkala district Beruniy district Beruniy district Beruniy district Turtkul district Turtkul district Turtkul district Extracurricular activity Circle and clubs in school 58% 43% 80% 36% 55% 20% 6% 2% 0 Extra tuition 53% 43% 63% 36% 57% 37% 11% 0 0 Sports clubs 42% 36% 48% 42% 62% 49% 15% 2% 4% Internet café 0 1% 1% 14% 23% 3% 86% 76% 96% Pre-entry/ training courses 20% 22% 7% 22% 32% 11% 58% 46% 82% Source: Household survey The absolute majority of respondents noted that their children have free time. Children in project districts spend their free time reading books, painting, doing self-study (an average for three districts – 26% of interviewed respondents), attend circles and clubs (17%), watch TV (15%), help parents around the house and look after younger children (16%). Only 1% of households noted that their children help in household during agricultural works. The absolute majority of respondents stated that their children do not help / do not work with them during seasonal agricultural works. This opinion is shared by 98% of households in Beruniy district, 82% of households in Turtkul district and 93% of households in Ellikkala district. 11% of households in Turtkul district noted that their children help them during seasonal agricultural works. However, their involvement is limited to learning housekeeping. 57 Diagram 13 Children’s activity in spare time in project districts, % Source: Household survey Most respondents noted that local authorities create conditions for all-round development of children and monitor compliance with the ban on child labor and forced adult labor. 2.3 Assessment of compliance with legal orders in project area According to survey, population and experts noted the following measures taken by local authorities to prevent child labor and forced adult labor. People are aware of legislation and practices prohibiting the use of forced labor. The most common measure is the outreach and advocacy. Employees of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, Khokimiyats, representatives of Makhalla Fund, Women’s Committee, school principals, Rayon Education Departments regularly outreach population in project area to explain the illegality of child labor and forced adult labor. Khokimiyats in project area collect oral and/or written promises of local population that their children will not be involved in work. As a result almost all parents are aware of illegality of child labor in cotton and other crops fields, and of age restrictions and duration of working day. All participants of focus-group discussions in project area are aware of ban on the use of child labor and forced adult labor. “…our people respect the laws, but we have to explain to them the value of these laws ….” Deputy Director, Construction and Transportation College No 10, Beruniy district “… farmers are aware that child labor is prohibited …” Chairman of Buston Makhalla Committee, Beruniy district “…We raise the awareness of parents and explain to them that they should not send children to pick cotton ….” Advisor to the Chairman of Tashkent Makhalla Committee, Ellikkala district 58 “…people learn this in meetings held in khokimiyat …” Chairman of Khorezm Makhalla Committee, Beruniy district Over the last 2-3 years the situation with involvement of child labor in agriculture works began to change drastically due to the influence of global community. Child labor is not used in project area for about 2-3 years. This is confirmed by expert interview of representatives of local authorities. “…For about 3 years now college students no longer go to fields to help with various agricultural works …. This is closely monitored by Khokimiyat…” Chairman of Buston Makhalla Committee 2.4 Recommendations for improved project design Practice of implementing measures on prohibiting child labor and forced adult labor is a complex process which may raise conflicts, disputes and litigations in connection with complaints about possible forced labor. This subsection highlights the grievance procedure based on existing practice of this mechanism. The mechanism provides for appeal any actions and decisions that violate rights and freedom of citizens living in project area. Legislative framework of Uzbekistan and provisions of international conventions ratified by Uzbekistan define practice of imposing ban on child labor and forced adult labor. These procedures include a ban on the use of forced labor. In case of risk or already evidence of a breach of the ban on forced labor, people have right to complain and appeal to local authorities (district of regional Khokimiyats). Grievance procedure includes the following procedures:  Aggrieved persons pass their complaints to the chairman of Makhalla Committee who will register these complaints and try to resolve them. If complaint is not resolved in a week, it is passed further to district/regional level, Khokimiyats and other interested institutions that supervise compliance with ban on the use of child labor and forced adult labor. Makhalla Committees have action groups consisting of representatives of farmers and other stakeholders taking an active part in addressing the issues related to ensuring the compliance with ban on the use of child and forced adult labor;  Institutions responsible for processing of complaints and claims(Makhalla Committees, Khokimiyats and other interested institution) should have complaints logbooks;  District Khokimiyat will take all necessary measures within their power to resolve the problem. If the complaint is not resolved in two weeks, then it goes further to the Juvenile Committee under the Council of Ministers of Karakalpak Republic;  The authorized person in Juvenile Committee under the Council of Ministers of Karakalpak Republic will accept the complaint, register it and will try to find a solution;  If no solution is found in 21 days, the complaint is transferred to Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and is processed according to the legislation of Uzbekistan. Reports and disputes resolution are followed-up by Monitoring and Evaluation Group of Khokimiyat. Additional measures such as internal and external monitoring or third party monitoring should be in place to prevent child labor and forced adult labor during the project life and once it’s completed. Internal monitoring will be done by Consultant on Social and Economic Issues, PIU for Water Projects. External monitoring will be done by a qualified independent consultant to be hired by PIU for Water Projects according to Terms of Reference approved by the World Bank. 59 Internal monitoring will include  Administrative controls: daily planning, implementation, feedback and problem solving, progress reports;  Socio-economic monitoring: case studies using baseline information to compare socio-economic conditions prior to project implementation, during implementation and at the time of its completion, public relations, scope of consultations, appeals, complaints and results of their processing;  Monitoring of impact assessment: recovery/improvement of income level and socio-economic welfare – beneficiaries of the project. Internal monitoring indicators are related to immediate project implementation actions and to its interim and final outcomes. This information will be collected directly on sites. It will be used to evaluate the work program implementation progress and results, and for respective adjustments if needed. Quarterly reports will be a part of the standard supervision reports submitted to the World Bank. These monitoring activities will continue up to completion of construction. Internal monitoring should be maintained after completion of construction phase, and first semi-annual report should be prepared, as well as second and all subsequent reports, which will be submitted to PIU for Water Projects and to the World Bank. External monitoring will be maintained by an independent consultant through random on-site monitoring. He/she will prepare the report reflecting data on project progress. The expert will keep monitoring and control over project implementation to identify if the objectives are met, if all project implementation rules and regulations are observed, whether means of subsistence and living standards are restored, and will provide recommendations for improvement. To guarantee that child labor and forced adult labor will not be used during the recovery period in project districts, the external monitoring will be in place once construction is completed and will be used a basis for Compliance Report to be submitted to the World Bank and PIU for Water Projects. 60 Chapter III Information dissemination and institutional building The main challenge for information dissemination in project area is a young and developing institutional framework, which is aimed to increase the farmers’ awareness and capacity building. Institutional building activities include improvement of regulatory relations, legal awareness, knowledge of legal documents and regulations, and training and capacity building for farmers in farming and meliorative methods for improving and increasing productivity of soil. The most efficient way to implement this practice is to create informal advisory services or civil society organizations such as Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Farmer Field Schools are intended to build the capacity of farmers and implement world best practices in land and water use in irrigated agriculture, develop knowledge for effective farming, improve legal awareness of farmers. FFS are created on voluntary basis from among project area farmers. Trainings should be provided by trained trainers according to approved training modules. Candidate trainers are selected from among local specialists with higher education and experience in respective area. Training is conducted in demonstration plots – offsite training in farmers’ field during land treatment. Theoretical part of training is conducted in field camps and in rural schools. FFS use mass method for communication of information through distribution of printed publications, covering issues increasing the knowledge of farmers. A FFS in South Karakalpakstan (Beruni, Turtkul and Ellikkala districts) trained 690 farmers under World Bank Drainage, Irrigation and Wetland Improvement project (2005-2009). 152 land-users gained experience in selected activities of cultivation best practices, taking part in open days, yield presentations and other activities arranged by FFS on demonstration plots for neighboring farmers who did not attended FFS classes. As a result of these activities crop yield increased, hence increasing farmers’ income. Farmers upgraded their knowledge and experience in rational land and water use, which they will apply in practice to increase the profitability of farming. Advisory services are provided free of charge. Therefore training of all target groups will be effective. The table below highlights the advantages and disadvantages of using FFS as an effective channel for information communication and training of farmers. 61 Table 4 Strength and weaknesses of institutional structures Strength Weakness i. FFS give a chance for in-service training of i. Although FFS is an informal organization, it farmers at a time convenient to them requires support from local authorities in ii. FFS provide mass training of farmers organizational issues iii. FFS help widely promote training materials and ii. A service for institutional capacity building process through mass media and widely should be created to arrange trainings for land distribute printed materials (brochures, leaflets users and increase their awareness. for farmers, etc.) iii. Support from local authorities is needed to train iv. Do not require a specialized training center tutors for FFS v. Preference is given to practical exercises iv. An NGO on legal issues should be involved, vi. FFS is a form of training for farmers that does farmers’ self-organization and initiatives should not require large financial investments be promoted vii. Leader farmers with excellent knowledge v. Financial support from government institutions and/or broad experience in subject matter can is needed at the first stage. be involved in training (to share personal experience) viii. Dissemination of knowledge from a farmer to farmer to ensure mass coverage and efficiency ix. Convenient as farmers do not need to go away from home for training; training materials are comprehensible and clearly presented x. Trained tutors xi. Trainings in FFS should take into account mentality of farmers and should be offered in a popular manner without complicated theoretical details xii. Opportunity to share experience, discuss problems and solutions xiii. Interactive training methods are preferable in FFS Given that involvement of child labor and forced adult labor in agriculture in project area is a critical issue, training of farmers and increasing their legal awareness through FFS will also be effective. 62 Chapter IV Assessment of project activities on mechanization of cotton picking Cotton is a national wealth of Uzbekistan and the main crop in project districts. Cotton picking season in Uzbekistan falls to August-October. Preparatory works on formation of groups of people to be involved in cotton pick are conducted under immediate control of local authorities with strict accountability to respective ministries and agencies. One month prior to picking a special staff is established in district khokimiyats, which will compound groups of people who will participate in cotton picking. The list of people to be involved in cotton picking includes mandatory information such as passport details, names and dates of birth. The leaders of such groups provide conditions for accommodation, meals, transportation, and emergency medical care. “…cotton is a national wealth. Only technical personnel are involved in cott on picking, teachers cannot go to fields as they have to work with children. However, salary is retained during cotton picking and there is additional payment for cotton. Chairman of district Makhalla Fund, Turtkul district “…There is a group of cotton pickers. One-two months before the harvest season Khokimiyats prepare the lists of cotton pickers, which include passport details. And only selected people, who are in those lists, go to cotton picking. Such groups of cotton pickers may include up to 100 people. ….The lists have names and dates of birth. And leader determines where the group will rest and have lunch” Deputy Head, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources under the Khokimiyat, Ellikkala district Participation in cotton picking is voluntary. Over 80% of all employees of public sector and state- financed institutions take part in seasonal cotton picking works. According to interviewed respondents and majority of focus group discussion participants, employees of public sector and state-financed institutions are actively involved in their spare time, i.e. cotton picking does not have negative impact on performance of their professional duties. “…But teachers are free in the afternoon. They can pick cotton in the afternoon and earn some extra money, if they want. There used to be illiterate managers who forced people to pick cotton, but all of them have been fired for it…” Chairman of farming enterprise, Ellikkala district “…As for public sector employees – doctors, teachers of schools and colleges – they do their main job, but in spare time they can pick cotton if they wish to do so…” Advisor to Chairman of Makhalla Committee, Ellikkala district Participation in cotton picking is similar to involvement of employees of public sector and state-financed institutions in improvement of area: chief of departments and/or organization managers and 63 representatives of district/city Khokimiyats are the main source of information on opportunity to participate in cotton picking. On the average, this opinion is shared by every third respondent in project districts. “…There is a special staff in Khokimiyat. Khokimiyat controls this … . A teacher can pick cotton after classes. We conduct khashars. Cotton is our national wealth. And nobody is forced to pick cotton ….» Economic Analyst, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources under Khokimiyat, Ellikkala district “…We should pick our cotton. We cannot let it go in waste because a lot of efforts and resources are invested in each harvest, it becomes priceless. ….” Head of the Water Resources Section, Department of Irrigation Networks Pakhta Arna, Ellikkala district The Government of Uzbekistan approved a Plan of Additional Actions to implement in 2012-2013 a Convention Concerning Forced and Compulsory Labor and Convention Concerning Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child that were ratified by Uzbekistan. On-site monitoring will be conducted annually in August-October to prevent forced labor of school students in cotton picking within the framework of this Plan. A detailed analytical report will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers with monitoring results and appropriate recommendations. Moreover, monitoring and control will be in place at the local level to prevent the use of forced labor of students of general schools, vocational colleges and academic lyceums, in particular in areas of local self- government bodies. The results of expert interview demonstrated that all cotton pickers are provided with appropriate conditions, including meals, transportation, payment for their labor as well as additional bonuses and incentives. Nobody is forced to pick cotton. People participate in cotton picking voluntarily. “… People participate in cotton picking on voluntary basis and everybody looks forward to cotton picking season to earn some extra money. On the average, a picker collects about 80 kg of cotton and gets 25 thousand UZS a day. It’s good money and great contribution help to family income…” Deputy Head of District Education Department, Ellikkala district “… Some people say that doctors and teachers are forced to pick cotton, and that because of this children are left without teachers and patients – without doctors. But it’s not true. Only technical staff7 is involved on large-scale. And not all technical personnel, they go in shifts – 15 days – two technicians, and the other two will replace them in 15 days …” Many participants, Beruniy district “…Teachers and doctors are no longer involved in cotton picking for about two-three years now … and it’s the right measure as children should get their education as well as patients should get timely medical care…” Chief specialist, District Council of Farmers, Beruniy district 7 Technical personnel include employees that are not engaged in core operations of the organization, e.g. cleaners, security, drivers, warehouseman, etc. 64 It’s been several years now since children who did not attain majority (i.e. children under 18) by the beginning of cotton picking season are no longer involved in cotton picking. Even voluntary stay of children in cotton fields during picking season is prohibited by legislation of Uzbekistan. This is confirmed by all participants of focus-group discussions: “… Education and Promotion Center, Republic of Karakalpakstan. We go to fields to control and monitor…. Children are not involved…” Deputy Khokim on Women’s Issues, Turtkul district “…no, minor children do not work. We have a legal inspector who checks the contracts; organizations are not attracted if they have minor children. Inspector carries on agitation…” Employment Department specialist, Turtkul district “…we also participated this year. We all asked everybody about age and place of study …” Specialist of Pakhta-Arna Irrigation Networks Department, Turtkul district “…all supervising teachers in schools take acknowledgement from parents that they will not let their children to go to fields…” Chairman of District Farmers Board, Beruniy district “…every school principal submits a guarantee letter to the Education Department confirming that he/she will not involve students in cotton picking. Compliance with this is controlled in the morning, afternoon and evening, and if any student is picking cotton, the school principal will get a reprimand…” Principal of the school for children with disabilities, Turtkul district “…there are volunteers who pick cotton… children are not involved for 2-3 years now…” Chairman, District Farmers Board, Beruniy district “…third-year students are involved. They have all necessary conditions: lunches, medical care…” Chairman, Khodjimukhammad Farm, Turtkul district “…a special commission goes out to field to control. There are special teams, they go out to field and ask what year student are they. If they came, they are sent back home. …. farmer is not fined, the child is just sent back home from the field. They ask name and school that he attend, and then talk to school principal and parents… Such teams are appointed by makhalla…” Chairman, Karimov Rustamboy Farm, Beruniy district “…This year we – Women’s Committee, Makhalla Fund have been to schools to check that children are not involved in cotton picking…” Chairman, Makhalla Fund, Ellikkala district 65 “…in Soviet time I used to go to pick cotton from 5th grade. Cotton picking is a hard job for a child, he should not go out to field. Now we have 12-year compulsory education…” Head of Ulugbek Rural Health Center, Turtkul district Despite the fact that appropriate equipment for mechanic harvesting of cotton and other crops, is available in project districts, focus-group discussion participants say that manually picked cotton is of higher quality. Manually picked cotton is more expensive than cotton picked by machine. This opinion is shared by all participants of focus-group discussions conducted in districts. “…When men and women pick cotton manually, the quality of cotton is better. You can get bette r price for better quality, and revenue is higher…” Head of Pakhta-Arna Irrigation Networks Department (IND), Ellikkala district “…what shall happen if cotton picking is fully mechanized? … This won’t happen, because manually picked cotton is of higher quality…” Deputy Head of Health Workers Association, Ellikkala district “…if cotton picking is fully mechanized? … It’s difficult even to image …” Chairman of farm, Beruniy district “…Manually picked cotton is of high quality. Cotton picking greatly contributes to people’s income. …” Chairman of farm, Beruniy district “…Even if cotton picking is mechanized, people will find other things to do. They will spend more time in their backyards, and will get income from land. Someone will grow vegetable for sale …” Head of Food Department, Beruniy District Khokimiyat “… if cotton picking is fully mechanized?... Firstly, it will be disadvantageous to the state because manually picked cotton is more expensive, it is of better quality than cotton picked by machines…” “…a lot of people will lose income; however, it does not mean that cotton picking should not be mechanized. Just additional jobs should be created before that…” Deputy Khokim on Women’s Issues, Turtkul district “Even if cotton picking is fully mechanized, people will not be out of work…” Legal counsel, College of Public Services, Turtkul district; Chief Specialist, Department on Women’s Issues under Khokimiyat, Turtkul district “… Cotton picking a just a seasonal work, we can’t say that loss of income would be great…” Employment Department specialist, Turtkul district Based on survey results we can conclude that over the last three years farmers have not been using child labor because of stronger control and large fines. Social workers, such as teachers and health workers are 66 involved in field works only in their leisure time. Survey results demonstrated that there is no forced adult labor in cotton picking campaign. Participation in cotton picking is voluntary. 67 Chapter V Official statistics of project area districts The main statistical indicators of socioeconomic and demographic development of project districts for the period between 2007 and 2011 were provided in the Final Report on Social Assessment in February 2012. This chapter presents only a part of statistical indicators which were updated for the period between 2009 and 2013 year-end. 5.1 Demographics of project districts The resident population of the project area makes up approximately 30% of the overall resident population of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The resident population dynamics of project areas is positive. The population growth in Beruniy district in 2009-2013 was 7% for the entire period. Average annual population growth in the district for the entire period was approximately 2% per year (or approximately 2,800). The population in Turtkul district has grown by 10% in 2009-2013. The average annual population growth was 2% per year (or approximately 4,300). The population growth in Ellikkala district for the same period was 8%. The average annual population growth in this district was also 2% per year (or approximately 2,600). Among the project districts, Turtkul district had the greatest proportion in population growth in 2009- 2013. Table 5 The resident population in project districts in 2009-2013 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Beruniy district 159,100 162,200 164,500 167,300 170,400 Turtkul district 175,400 183,000 185,800 189,100 192,600 Ellikkala district 130,00 133,300 135,400 137,800 140,400 Source: The State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan Project area population is predominantly rural. Ellikkala district has the largest share of rural population. Although Ellikkala district had the lowest population among project districts in 2013 - 140,400 people, it rural population comprises 122,150 people, representing 87% of population. Elikkkala district has a ratio of about 149.4 of urban population per 1000 people in rural areas. The percentage of population residing in urban areas in Beruniy district in 2013 was approximately 38% of total population living in the district. The rural population accounts for 64% of total population of project district, respectively. Urban population ratio in 2013 was 613 people per 1000 of population living in rural areas. About 39% of the total population in Turtkul district lives in urban areas and 61% in rural areas. The ratio of urban/rural population is 639 urban people per 1000 of rural population. The ratio of urban and rural population of the project area is reflected in the chart below: 68 Diagram 14 Urban and rural population in project districts in 2009-2013 Source: The State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan The share of male and female population in project districts varies insignificantly. Slightly predominant share by gender is accounted for by female. The table below reflects sex ratio as of 2013. Table 6 Population in project districts by gender as of 01.01.2013 Population Share, % Number of male oer District Total male female male female 1,000 female Beruni 167,300 83,700 83,600 50% 50% 1,001 Turtkul 189,100 93,700 95,400 49.6% 50.4% 983 Ellikkala 137,800 68,200 69,600 49.5% 50.5% 994 Source: State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan About 1,001 male are accounted for by 1,000 female in Beruniy district. Number of male is equal to the number of female in this district. About 983 male are accounted for by 1,000 female in Turtkul district. The number of female in this district prevails over the number of male by 1,600. The share of female comprises 50.4% and share of male is 49.6% of the total population of this district. 994 male are accounted for by 1,000 female in Ellikkala district. The number of female in this district prevails over the number of male by 400. The share of female comprises 50.5% and share of male is 49.5% of the total population of this district. Beruniy district is accounted for by the highest proportion of male among these three districts. The highest proportion of female is reported in Turtkul district. Overall, the variance in sex ratio in project districts is negligible. 69 5.2 Economic Indicators in Project Areas (number of employed in enterprises, including agriculture) In general, dynamics of population employed in private and state enterprises and organizations in project areas in 2009-2013 tends to be positive. In Beruni area, for the last five years the number of workers of private and state enterprises has increased by 3.8 thousand people or 7% for the entire period. Annual employment growth for these enterprises is 2%. In Turtkul area, the number of employed in private and state enterprises increased by 6.2 thousand people by 2013 compared to the 2009 indicator. Percentage growth was 10% for the period. Average annual employment rate in Turtkul area is 2%. Dynamics of the number of employed in private and state enterprises of Ellikkala area was also positive in 2009-2013. The number of employed in private and state enterprises increased by 3.1 thousand people by 2013 compared to the 2009 indicator. Percentage growth was 7% for the period. Average annual employment rate in Ellikkala area is 2%. Table 7. Number of Employed with Enterprises and Organizations (Private and State) for 2009- 2013 (thousand people) in Project Areas 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Beruni 55.6 56.7 57.1 58.5 59.4 Turtkul 61.1 62.5 64.5 66.1 67.3 Ellikkala 45.3 46.4 47.0 48.2 48.4 Source: State Committee of Statistics of the Republic of Uzbekistan The table below shows changes in the number of farms in the project areas for 2009-2013: 70 Table 8. Number of Farms in 2009-2013 (units) in Project Areas 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Beruni 462 429 408 313 313 Turtkul 421 389 368 355 355 Ellikkala 618 440 390 410 422 Source: State Committee of Statistics of the Republic of Uzbekistan For the period under review, the number of farms reduced in the project areas. Such dynamics can be explained by the ongoing process of farm consolidation through merging of small farms into larger ones. In Beruni area, there were 313 farming entities in 2013. If compared to 2009, this indicator shows that the number of farms reduced by 149 (-32% for the period). Each year the number of farms in this area reduces on the average by 9% per year. The share of farms engaged in cotton growing was 73% of the total number of farms in 2013. This is the highest rate in 2009-2013. For the period under review, this indicator varied from 55% to 73%. In Turtkul area, there were 355 farming entities in 2013. In 2013, the number of farms reduced by 66 units or 16% compared to the previous years. Each year the number of farms in this area decreases on the average by 4% per year. The share of farms engaged in cotton growing was 74% of the total number of farms in Turtkul area in 2013. The share has remained practically the same in 2009-2013. This indicator varied from 66% to 74% for the period under review. The number of farms in Ellikkala area decreased by 196 units by 2013 or 32% for the entire period. In 2013, the total number of farms was 422 units. In this area, there was an insignificant increase in the number of farms in 2009-2013. This can be explained by the fact that in the periods of increasing number of farms there was an increase in new farms that further merged with larger farms. In Ellikkala area, the share of farms engaged in cotton growing was 68% of the total number of farms in this area in 2013. The share of cotton-growing farms was the highest in 2012 and accounted for 70%. This indicator varied from 57% to 70% for the period under review. In general, cotton-growing farms account for the highest share. In 2013, the share of cotton-growing farms was on the average 70% of all farms in the project areas. This proves a conclusion that cotton is the main crop in this region. Ratio between total farms and cotton-growing farms is presented in pictures below: 71 Diagram 15. Number of Farms in 2009-2013 (Units) in Project Areas, Including Cotton-growing Farms Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Source: State Committee of Statistics of the Republic of Uzbekistan 72 The tables presented below show the numbers of agricultural equipment used by farms for crop seeding and harvesting: Table 9. Number of Agricultural Machines and Equipment Used by Farms for Crop Seeding and Harvesting in 2009-2013 (units) Areas 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 BERUNI 1 Raw-cotton seeding and harvesting 1,128 2,610 2,741 2,740 2,794 a) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other 813 707 792 691 691 servicing organizations (pieces) of which mechanized assembling - - - - - leasing equipment of MTPs and others 83 132 162 172 176 b) Equipment of farms (total) 315 1,813 1,949 2,049 2,103 of which under leasing agreement 83 132 162 172 276 leased 0 0 0 0 0 2 Seeding and harvesting of other crops 138 149 162 195 230 а) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other 15 16 15 13 12 servicing organizations (pieces) of which leasing equipment of MTPs and others 0 0 0 0 0 b) Equipment of farms (total) 123 133 147 182 217 of which under leasing agreement 41 58 64 94 101 leased 0 0 0 0 0 TURTKUL 1 Raw-cotton seeding and harvesting 2,339 2,316 2,358 2,402 2,409 a) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other 1,243 1,258 1,169 1,197 1,197 servicing organizations (pieces) of which mechanized assembling - - - - - leasing equipment of MTPs and others - - - - - b) Equipment of farms (total) 1,086 1,058 1,189 1,205 1,212 of which under leasing agreement 21 37 19 31 6 leased - - - - - 2 Seeding and harvesting of other crops a) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other - - - - - servicing organizations (pieces) b) leasing equipment of MTPs and others - - - - - c) Equipment of farms (total) - - 8 8 15 of which under leasing agreement - - 2 3 3 ELLIKKALA 1 Raw-cotton seeding and harvesting 1,236 1,126 1,016 955 996 a) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other 1,224 1,088 888 661 693 servicing organizations (pieces) of which mechanized assembling 0 0 0 0 0 leasing equipment of MTPs and others 10 14 25 16 32 b) Equipment of farms (total) 12 38 128 294 303 of which under leasing agreement 6 14 25 16 32 leased - - - 14 14 2 Seeding and harvesting of other crops 1,246 1,125 1,016 955 946 a) machine and tractor park and alternative MTP of other 1,234 1,087 888 659 893 73 servicing organizations (pieces) of which leasing equipment of MTPs and others 10 14 25 16 32 b) Equipment of farms (total) 12 38 128 294 103 of which under leasing agreement 6 14 25 16 32 leased - - - 14 14 In Beruni area there was a high increase in equipment used for raw-cotton seeding and harvesting in 2009-2013. For the period under review, there was a 2.5 times increase of this indicator which in physical terms was +1666 units, in percentage +148% for the period. In 2009-2013 there was a sharp decrease of the equipment share of MTP and other servicing entities. While in 2009 the equipment share of MTP and other servicing entities accounted for 72% of the total equipment for raw-cotton seeding and harvesting (cotton equipment), in 2010-2013 this share varied from 29% to 25%. For the period 2009-2013, there was an increase in farms’ equipment - from 28% in 2009 to 75% in 2013. In physical terms, farms’ equipment increased by 1,788 pieces. The share of leased equipment was around 13% of the farms’ equipment in 2013. In Turtkul area, in 2009-2013 cotton equipment increased by 70 pieces for the period or by 3%. For the period under review, the share of equipment of MTPs and other servicing entities in the total cotton equipment remained unchanged. This indicator in 2013 accounted for a half (50%) of the total cotton equipment. The share of farms’ cotton equipment is also 50%. For the period 2009-2013, the share of equipment offered by MTPs and other servicing entities varied from 50% to 54% of the total cotton equipment, and the share of farms’ equipment – from 46% to 50%. The share of leased equipment was insignificant and accounted for about 2% of the total equipment. In Ellikkala area, the number of cotton equipment decreased in 2009-2013. This indicator fell by 240 units or 19% for the entire period. The share of equipment offered by MTPs and other servicing entities is the highest for cotton equipment. However, this indicator tends to reduce for the period under review. While in 2009 the share of equipment offered by MTPs and other servicing entities was almost absolute (99%), by 2013 this indicator decreased to 70%. The share of farms’ equipment accounted for about 30% of the total cotton equipment. The number of farms’ equipment grew by 291 pieces. In 2013, the share of equipment under leasing agreements accounted for about 11%, and the share of leased equipment was 5% of the total farms’ equipment. According to data received from local authorities in project areas, all workers involved in crop seeding and harvesting are hired on a voluntary basis. In Turtkul area, the share of workers involved in crop seeding and harvesting on a voluntary basis makes up the absolute majority – on the average 87%. 13% of workers involved in crop seeding and harvesting are hired. The number of hired agricultural workers for crop harvesting is presented in the following table: Table 10. Hired Workers Involved in Harvesting in 2009-2013 (number of people) Agricultural events and hired workers 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 BERUNI Raw cotton seeding and harvesting 1,920 2,060 2,170 2,245 2,650 a) Workers hired on a full-time basis (number of 0 0 0 0 0 people)8 8 No workers on a full-time basis can be explained by seasonal employment in this agricultural sector. 74 b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 1,920 2,060 2,170 2,245 2,650 of people) Other crop seeding and harvesting 270 280 275 295 310 a) Workers hired on a full-time basis (number of 0 0 0 0 0 people) b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 270 280 275 295 310 of people) TURTKUL Raw cotton seeding and harvesting 21,560 21,640 21,710 23,920 24,010 a) Workers hired on a full-time basis (number of 2,840 2,440 2,790 3,820 2,900 people) b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 18,720 19,200 18,920 20,100 21,110 of people) Other crop seeding and harvesting 1,010 1,041 1,054 1,170 1,250 a) Hired workers (number of people) 0 0 0 0 0 b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 0 0 0 0 0 of people) ELLIKKALA Raw cotton seeding and harvesting 1,916 2,046 2,150 224 2,600 a) Workers hired on a full-time basis (number of 0 0 0 0 0 people) b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 1,916 2,046 2,150 224 2,600 of people) Other crop seeding and harvesting 260 265 268 289 304 a) Workers hired on a full-time basis (number of 0 0 0 0 0 people) b) Seasonal workers on a voluntary basis (number 260 265 268 289 304 of people) 5.3 Socio-cultural Indicators in Project Areas (including social facilities) According to data provided in pictures below, there are no higher education facilities in the project areas. At the same time, each area has secondary vocational facilities – colleges and lyceums. In 2013, there were 8 secondary vocational schools in Beruni, 7 in Turtkul, and 6 in Ellikkala area. 75 In 2013 Ellikkala area had the highest number of secondary schools (71), Turtkul had 63 schools, and Beruni had 68 schools. There are more than 20 pre-school educational facilities in each project area. In general, the project areas have appropriate conditions for education of and care for younger generation. Diagram 16. Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of facilities) Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Number of schools Number of schools Number of lyceums Number of schools Number of colleges Number of lyceums Number of lyceums Number of pre-school facilities Number of colleges Number of colleges Number of higher education facilities Number of pre-school facilities Number of higher education facilities Number of pre-school facilities Number of higher education facilities 76 Diagram 17. Students in Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of people) Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Number of secondary school students Number of secondary school students Number of secondary school students Number of lyceum students Number of lyceum students Number of lyceum students Number of college students Number of children in pre-school facilities Number of college students Number of college students Number of higher education students Number of children in pre-school facilities Number of children in pre-school facilities The areas have also created conditions for development and entertainment of younger generation. Beruni has the highest number of study groups within secondary Number ofTurtkul educational facilities. has the higher education highest number of sports grounds students and gyms Number as of higher well as education children’s playgrounds. Each area has functioning libraries and sports students groups. Children camps and festivals of children’s creativity works are organized only in Beruni and Ellikkala areas. In general, the project areas have functioning socio-cultural facilities oriented on comprehensive development of their population. 77 Table 11. Number of Cultural and Educational Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (units) Name 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 BERUNI Study groups at schools 1,050 1,050 1,051 1,052 1,100 Additional studies - - - - - Sports groups 200 210 220 227 227 Internet-café 1 1 2 2 3 Preliminary/educational courses 1 2 2 3 4 Playgrounds 74 74 75 75 75 Sports grounds and halls 61 61 62 62 62 Competitions - - - - - Libraries 72 72 74 76 76 Children’s recreation camps 2 2 1 1 2 Children’s folk festivals (concerts) 4 4 4 4 4 Museums - - - - - Children’s libraries 64 64 66 68 68 TURTKUL Study groups at schools 596 597 597 597 611 Sports groups 149 186 221 227 249 Internet-café - - - - - Preliminary/educational courses 1 1 3 2 4 Playgrounds 169 177 189 197 216 Sports grounds and halls 369 370 370 370 370 Libraries 14 14 14 14 14 Children’s recreation camps - - - - - Children’s folk festivals (concerts) - - - - - Children’s amateur theatres - - - - - Museums 3 3 3 3 3 Children’s libraries 14 14 14 14 14 ELLIKKALA Study groups at schools 533 551 634 712 719 Additional studies - - - - - Sports groups 142 142 210 213 213 Internet-café - - - - - Preliminary/educational courses - - - - - Playgrounds 140 168 184 184 201 Sports grounds and halls 42 42 46 46 46 Competitions 18 23 27 34 41 Libraries 55 55 55 55 56 Children’s recreation camps 2 2 2 2 2 Children’s folk festivals (concerts) 5 5 6 16 19 Museums 1 1 1 1 1 Children’s libraries - - - - - Data on healthcare facilities in the project areas in 2009-2013 are presented in the table below: 78 Table 12. Healthcare Facilities in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (units) Healthcare Facility 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 BERUNI Out-patient clinics, total 1 1 1 1 1 In-patient facilities, total 1 1 1 1 1 of which rural ones - Rural outpatient stations (SVP) 14 14 14 14 15 TURTKUL Out-patient clinics, total 1 1 1 2 2 In-patient facilities, total number of beds 600 600 600 541 481 of which rural ones Rural outpatient stations (SVP) 21 21 21 21 22 ELLIKKALA Out-patient clinics, total 1 1 1 1 1 In-patient facilities, total 2 2 2 2 1 of which rural ones 0 0 0 0 0 Rural outpatient stations (SVP) 19 19 19 19 19 The table data show that the project areas have mainly rural outpatient stations. Turtkul has the highest number of rural outpatient stations. There are approximately 1-2 out-patient clinics and in-patient facilities in the project areas. Socially Vulnerable Population Groups According to the indicators of population size and data on such socially vulnerable groups as disabled and unemployed population, the share of these socially vulnerable population groups has not exceeded 3% for the period under review in the project areas. In Beruni, in 2009-2013 the share of unemployed was 2% of the total population. The share of disabled people for the same period was 3%. In Turtkul, the share of unemployed and disabled people was 2% of the total population in 2009-2013. Ellikkala has the largest share of unemployed which accounts for, on the average, 8% of the total population in the area. The share of disabled people was 3% for the period. 79 Table 13. Disabled and Unemployed Population in Project Areas in 2009-2013 (number of people) 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 unemployed unemployed unemployed unemployed unemployed Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of disabled disabled disabled disabled disabled Beruni 4,828 4,376 4,409 4,194 4,325 4,011 4,107 3,824 3,701 2,647 Turtkul 4,011 4,016 3,989 4,016 3,961 4,082 3,821 4,076 3,559 4,070 Ellikkala 4,391 12,415 4,251 11,904 4,121 9,994 3,972 9,544 3,912 9,420 In general the share of disabled and unemployed in the total population tended to decrease in the project areas in 2009-2013. 80 Conclusion Use of forced child and adult labor is prohibited in Uzbekistan. Employers are highly aware of the national legislation and instructions on banning forced labor. Measures taken in the Republic of Uzbekistan prove the fulfillment of accepted international commitments and ILO standards to prevent and prohibit child labor, ensure legal mechanisms to protect child rights in the area of labor and to consistently implement a national action plan approved by the Government of Uzbekistan on fulfilling Conventions 138 and 182 of the International Labor Organization. Amendments and alterations based on laws passed by the Senate of Oliy Majlis strengthen legislative guarantees for the rights of younger generation and harmonize national laws with international legal norms. The country has developed a solid and sustainable system of administrative and legal protection of minors’ rights, guaranteed by the Constitution, Family, Labor, and Criminal Codes as well as other laws and regulations. Findings of this research show that people in the project areas regularly on days-off and when they have free time take active part in improving their land. In the project areas, personnel of state institutions and budget organizations continue to be involved in land improving/seasonal harvesting campaigns and other public works. Their participation is voluntary and provides for additional financial incentives. Such activities are performed in their free time, i.e. without detriment to their professional duties. Children can also participate in neighborhood improvement works. Such activities for helping adults and direct participation in public works support the process of children socialization, better understanding of local values and traditions, social involvement of children, the development of responsibility and duty, and cultivate love for work and cleanliness. In the recent years, the situation with the use of child labor in agricultural works has significantly changed due to the influence of the world community. In the project areas, child labor has not been used for 2-3 years. This is proved by expert interviews with representatives of local authorities. In the project areas, cotton is the main crop cultivated by farms. Participation in cotton harvesting is voluntary. Over 80% of the personnel of state and budget organizations directly participate in seasonal cotton harvesting works. Although the project areas have mechanical machinery and equipment to harvest cotton and other crops, participants of focus groups believe that cotton harvested manually is of better quality. Manual cotton harvesting is more expensive than cotton harvested by machines. The Government of Uzbekistan approved a plan for additional measures for 2012-2013 to implement the Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour and Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour ratified by Uzbekistan. This plan provides for yearly monitoring (in August-October) to prevent the use of forced labor of students of secondary schools during cotton harvesting season. Based on the results of such monitoring, a 81 thorough analytical note with research results and appropriate proposals will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. In addition, on-site monitoring and control are envisaged to be performed to prevent the use of forced labor of students of secondary schools, vocational colleges and academic lyceums, especially in the territories of citizens’ self-governing bodies. In general, the Government of Uzbekistan has made progress in terminating the use of forced child and adult labor during seasonal agricultural works. During and after the project implementation there is a need for internal and external monitoring by a third party to take additional measures for preventing child and forced adult labor. As part of measures to prevent child and forced labor, it is also recommended to expand awareness and information campaigns, including activities for strengthening institutional framework for higher public awareness. 82 APPENDIX 1. SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS OF INTERVIEWED RESPONDENTS The survey has covered 300 respondents in three project areas. 103 households were interviewed in Beruni, 113 households – in Turtkul, and 84 households – in Ellikkala. Heads of households made the absolute majority of respondents. This allowed receiving maximally reliable information on instruments developed for the survey. Demographics of Respondents Household size: According to the survey findings, almost every second household in the project areas consists of 3-5 family members, including its head. One out of every three households consists of 6-8 people. Table 14. Number of Household Members in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (% of the Total Surveyed Households) 13 and more Area 1-2 members 3-5 members 6-8 members 9-12 members members Beruni 1% 46% 36% 17% 1% Turtkul 5% 55% 33% 5% 2% Ellikkala 5% 40% 36% 17% 2% Weighted average for 4% 48% 35% 12% 2% project areas Source: Findings of the Household Survey Totally, there were 369 children under 17 years old in the surveyed households (HH). Most of them (61%) are HH children at the age of 6-17, i.e. children who must attend schools. As to gender, 87% of all HH children are boys. In most cases, the number of children per household does not exceed 1-2 children. The table below presents data on the number of HH children by age (from birth to 5 and from 6 to 17): Table 15. Number of Children in Surveyed Households in Project Areas – from Birth to 5 (number of people) From birth to 5 From 7 to 17 Area 1-2 children 3-5 children 1-2 children 3-5 children Beruni 44 4 59 20 Turtkul 44 3 52 16 Ellikkala 40 8 62 17 TOTAL 128 15 173 53 Source: Findings of the Household Survey Thus, among interviewed households in the project areas, the total number of household members, including household heads, is 1,576 people, of which one out of every four children is under 17 years old. Detailed information on the HH members is presented in the following table: Table 16. Number of Household Members, Including HH Heads (number of people) 83 Number of HH Area of which number of children % of children members Beruni 588 127 22% Turtkul 538 115 21% Ellikkala 450 127 28% TOTAL 1,576 369 23% Source: Findings of the Household Survey 18% of survey households (one sixth of the total number of surveyed households – 300 households) responded that their households had family members who needed special care (handicapped, incapacitated, disabled persons). The total number of household members in need of special care accounted for 6% (88 members of surveyed households who need special care: handicapped, incapacitated, and disabled). Among the surveyed households, the highest rate of those who need special care was noted in Turtkul – 11% of all household members (59 persons of all 88 household members who need special care: handicapped, incapacitated, and disabled.) Children under 17 years old account for approximately 41% (36 persons of all 88 household members who need special care) of household members in need of special care (handicapped, incapacitated, disabled). Adult household members over 18 years old account for 59% (52 persons of all 88 household members in need of special care). Table 17. Number of Household Members Who Need Special Care (Handicapped, Incapacitated, Disabled) in Surveyed Households of Project Areas, Including Household Heads (number of people) of which those Including Number of HH Area who need Children under % members Adults over 18 special care 17 Beruni 588 20 7 13 3% Turtkul 538 59 28 31 11% Ellikkala 450 9 1 8 2% TOTAL 1,576 88 36 52 6% Source: Findings of the Household Survey The share of household members in need of special care (handicapped, incapacitated, disabled), including household heads, is presented in the picture below: 84 Diagram 18. Share of Household Members Who Need Special Care (Handicapped, Incapacitated, Disabled) in Surveyed Households in Project Areas, Including Household Heads Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Total HH members Need special care Source: Findings of the Household Survey Age Characteristics and Social Status of Households: Men over 36 years old represent the majority of household heads among the surveyed households in the project areas. Most of household heads are married. In most cases, heads of surveyed households received secondary vocational education. Every third household head has higher education and serves for budget organizations. 18% of surveyed household heads in the project areas are pensioners. 17% of surveyed household heads work for private companies; only 7% of all household heads work in the agricultural sector. 85 Table 18. Social Status of Household Heads in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) Age (year of birth) Sex Marital Status Education Occupation Civil servant/budget Farmer, agricultural Office worker/work disabled, housewife in private company Incomplete Higher Vocational Scholl Academic degree Higher education No full-time job, Primary School subsidiary plot seasonal work Unemployed, organizations worker, hired 56 and older Household/ Widow(er) Secondary Education Pensioner Divorced Area Illiterate Married Student worker worker female 18-25 26-35 36-55 Single male Beruni 1% 4% 51% 44% 88% 12% 88% 0 1% 11% 1% 21% 44% 0 34% 0 9% 8% 23% 9% 0 9% 0 31% Turtkul 2% 12% 55% 32% 85% 15% 88% 4% 2% 6% 1% 3% 55% 0 42% 0 16% 5% 14% 16% 1% 9% 0 35% Ellikkala 0 14% 54% 32% 85% 15% 87% 2% 0% 11% 0 10% 62% 0 29% 0 10% 4% 15% 25% 0 2% 0 43% Weighted average for 1% 10% 53% 36% 86% 14% 88% 2% 1% 9% 1% 11% 53% 0 35 0 6% 11% 18 17% 0 7% 0 36% project areas Source: Findings of the Household Survey School children and students make absolute majority among household members aged 7-17. School children make the majority among household members in the said age group. On the average, this indicator is 76% for three project areas. In gender terms, household members in the project areas are almost equal – on the average, 51% men and 49% women. 86 Table 19. Social Status of Household Members Aged 7-17 in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) Sex Marital status Education Occupation Farmer, agricultural disabled, housewife Civil servant/works HH/subsidiary plot Incomplete higher worker/works for No full-time job, private company seasonal work Unemployed, worker, hired organization Secondary vocational for budget education Area divorced illiterate Primary married Student worker worker female Office single male Beruni 48% 52% 0 100% 0 4% 90% 6% 0 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 96% 1% Turtkul 56% 44% 0 100% 0 5% 77% 18% 0 0 0 0 0 0 100% 0 Ellikkala 48% 52% 0 100% 0 7% 60% 33% 0 0 0 0 0 0 100% 0 Weighted average for 51% 49% 0 100% 0 5% 76% 19% 0 0 0 0 0 0 99% 0 project areas Source: Findings of the Household Survey Women prevail among household members over 18 years old. Two thirds of household members of the said age group are women and only one third are men. In Beruni and Turtkul areas, every second member of the surveyed households is married, every third member of the said age is single. In Ellikkala area, the majority of household members aged over 18 are married. The vast majority of household members in the said age group have secondary vocational education. Only one of every five household members aged over 18 have higher education. One out of every three household members over 18 in the project areas is civil servant/worker of budget organizations. One out of every five household members over 18 is unemployed/housewife. Only 4% of household members over 18 work in the agricultural sector (farmer/hired worker) 87 Table 20. Social status of Household Members over 18 Years Old in Surveyed Households in Project Areas (%) Sex Marital status Education Occupation Farmer, agricultural disabled, housewife Civil servant/works HH/subsidiary plot Incomplete higher Academic degree Higher education works for private No full-time job, Office worker/ seasonal work Unemployed, worker, hired organization widow(er) Secondary for budget vocational Pensioner education company divorced illiterate primary married Student worker worker female Area single male Beruni 35% 65% 64% 32% 2% 1% 1% 26% 55% 1% 17% 0% 11% 22% 10% 9% 1% 5% 3% 33% Turtkul 33% 67% 63% 36% 0% 1% 0% 4% 75% 2% 19% 0% 14% 18% 5% 9% 3% 7% 4% 29% Ellikkala 34% 66% 81% 18% 0% 1% 0% 12% 64% 2% 21% 0% 6% 23% 6% 10% 4% 1% 2% 43% Weighted average for 34% 66% 69% 29% 1% 1% 0 14% 65% 2% 19% 0 10% 21% 7% 9% 3% 4% 3% 35% project areas Source: Findings of the Household Survey Absolute majority of households said that their members aged under 6 and from 7 to 17 are not involved in agricultural crop production, which means they do not work with vegetables/fruit/cotton/grain. Household Welfare Indicators Household welfare indicators reflect self-assessment of respondents in terms of their welfare, household income and expenditures, availability and accessibility of material values. The picture below shows wealth self-assessment indicators for households in the project areas: 88 Diargam 19. Wealth Self-assessment by HH Heads in Project Areas No response Can afford to buy car, apartment/house or traveling to foreign countries, etc. Can afford to buy a TV-set or refrigerator but cannot afford to buy car, apartment/house or travel to foreign countries, etc. Fully provide ourselves with foodstuffs, clothes, and money to pay utilities but cannot afford such goods as a TV-set, refrigerator… Enough money for basic foodstuffs but lack of money for clothes and utilities Ellikkala Turtkul Beruni Source: Findings of the Household Survey Thus, Beruni and Ellikkala have the highest rate of households that can fully provide themselves with foodstuffs, clothes, and money for utilities but cannot afford such goods as TV-set, refrigerator, etc. Such households make almost absolute majority (79% of the surveyed households) in Ellikkala, and half of households in Beruni assesses their welfare similarly. In Turtkul, one out of every five households assesses its wealth similarly. Every second household in Turtkul and every third one in Beruni assess that they can afford a TV-set or refrigerator but cannot afford to buy a car, apartment/house or travel to another country. One out of every five households in Turtkul can afford to buy a car, apartment/house or travel to another country, etc. Foodstuffs are the main item of household expenditures. This indicator varied, on the average, from 450,485 – 566,582 sums in two project areas in 2013. The highest indicator of those costs in the project areas varies within 1,200,000-2,000,000 sums, the lowest – within 50,000-100,000 sums. The second biggest cost of surveyed households is gasoline for personal cars. This indicator for surveyed households in the project areas, on the average, varies within 190,161-250,714 sums. The highest indicator of those costs in the project areas varies within 1,200,000-500,000 sums. The third highest cost of surveyed households is clothing. 89 The highest indicator of these costs varies within 800,000- 600,000 sums. On the average, households in the project areas spend from 178,013 to 235,900 sums to cover this cost. Table 21. Individual Household Expenditures in 2013, sums9 Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Item Maximum Medium Minimum Maximum Medium Minimum Maximum Medium Minimum Foodstuffs 1,200,000 450,485 100,000 1,500,000 479,273 50,000 2,000,000 566,582 60,000 Clothes 600,000 205,900 10,000 800,000 235,290 1,000 700,000 178,013 10,000 Electricity 200,000 40,748 10,000 150,000 48,589 10,000 150,000 44,525 12,000 Cold water 50,000 12,250 2,000 80,000 14,048 3,000 70,000 10,409 1,000 Disposal of liquid waste / garbage 20,000 4,561 1,000 50,000 10,986 2,000 45,000 6,433 500 collection Gas, coal, wood 400,000 99,269 120 800,000 135,509 10,000 300,000 93,481 10,000 All types of telephones 120,000 36,230 - 200,000 44,180 9,000 150,000 37,697 10,000 Housing fee excluding above items 60,000 10,100 3,000 150,000 86,857 - 80,000 25,636 2,000 Transportation 300,000 51,355 5,000 500,000 67,798 10,000 400,000 55,446 2,000 Education 500,000 53,769 5,000 500,000 138,857 10,000 150,000 31,396 5,000 Medical treatment 500,000 76,316 2,000 300,000 90,268 1,000 300,000 71,257 3,500 Holidays, weddings 500,000 93,368 - 6,000,000 181,202 20,000 500,000 120,342 20,000 Gasoline for cars (liter) 500,000 190,161 12,000 1,200,000 250,714 50,000 400,000 207,031 50,000 Other expenditures 500,000 124,143 14,000 750,000 115,389 3,500 - - - Source: Findings of the Household Survey Absolute majority of surveyed households (88%) do not receive any additional allowances/aid from the state or assistance from relatives. 4% of the surveyed households receive financial support from relatives. 2% of the surveyed households receive child allowances for low-income families, child care allowances for children under 1 year old, and disability allowances. Less than 2% of the surveyed households receive targeted social assistance, breadwinner loss allowances and allowances for women with many children. 9 Average rate is calculated on the basis of maximum and minimum rates based on the number of respondents who gave the same answer 90 In the past year, almost none of households took credits or borrowed money. Average indicator for three project areas refers to the absolute majority of surveyed households (81%). In Ellikkala, only one out of every three surveyed households took credits or borrowed money in the past year. In Turtkul, this indicator refers to every sixth household, in Beruni – to every eighth household. Absolute majority of household members (81%) who took credits or borrowed money in the past year have partially repaid their debt or credit. About 9% of the surveyed households have fully repaid credit and debt. On the average, 11% of households in the project areas have not yet repaid credit or debt for the last year. Material values owned by households in the project areas are presented in the picture below: Diagram 20. Material Values Owned by Households in Project Areas Beruni Turtkul Ellikkala Source: Findings of the Household Survey Every third household in Beruni has a TV-set, refrigerator and cell phone. One out of every four households has DVD-player. One out of every five households is provided with telephone communication – home telephone. One out of every eight households has a computer, microwave, oven, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, car, bicycle, and satellite dish. One out of every three households in Turtkul area has a TV-set, refrigerator, DVD-player and cell phone. Every fifth household has a computer, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, telephone landline (home phone), car, bicycle, and satellite dish. Only one out of every six households has a microwave oven. Every third household in Ellikkala area has a TV-set and cell phone. Every fourth household has a refrigerator. One out of every five households has a DVD-player. One out of every six households has telephone landline (home phone). One out of every seven households has a vacuum cleaner, car and bicycle. One out of every nine households has a computer, microwave oven and washing machine. The picture below represents access of households to public utilities in the project areas. 91 Diagram 21. Access of Households to Public Utilities in Project Areas Source: Findings of the Household Survey Every third household in Beruni has a subsidiary plot/vegetable garden, outdoor toilet, electricity and access to clean drinking water. Only 7% of households in the area are connected to the sewerage system. 2% of households have access to hot water. Every third household in Turtkul has a subsidiary plot/vegetable garden, outdoor toilet, electricity. Every fourth household in this area has its own sewerage system (individual septic sewerage) and has access to clean drinking water. Only 8% of households have access to hot water, and 6% have indoor toilet. Every forth household in Ellikkala has a subsidiary plot/vegetable garden, outdoor toilet, electricity and access to clean drinking water. One out of every five households in this area has its own sewerage system (individual septic sewerage). Only 2% of households are provided with hot water. Only 1% of surveyed households in the project areas has access to central sewerage. Taking into account household self-assessment indicators of family welfare, the consultant could conclude that households in the project areas are well provided and have access to the majority of basic material values necessary to maintain their everyday life. But the major problem of households is limited access to public utilities. Only one out of every three households in the project areas has access to basic public utilities which allow for maintaining their everyday life. This factor affects welfare of households and their members due to limited access to hot water, clean drinking water, electricity, and maintaining adequate sanitation conditions – waste disposal (due to the lack of access to central sewerage, mainly septic tanks are used). As the households in the project areas have subsidiary plots, they are involved in agricultural crop production and have domestic animals and poultry. The table below represents indicators of livestock population in households: 92 Table 22. Livestock Population in Households in Project Areas Poultry Cows/ (chickens, No Area Sheep Goats Pigs Horses Camels bulls geese, ducks, livestock turkeys) Beruni 38 23 2 - 2 - 42 44 Turtkul 48 35 14 - 1 - 54 46 Ellikkala 37 27 3 - 1 53 20 Source: Findings of the Household Survey 37% of the surveyed households have livestock and poultry. Basically, households have poultry, cows/bulls and sheep. 63% of the surveyed households do not have livestock. At the same time, absolute majority of households (91%) are engaged in agricultural crop production in their backyards. Major crops are vegetables, including potatoes, melons/watermelons, fruit and grapes. Detailed indicators of agricultural crops are shown in the table below: Table 23. Agricultural Crops Produced in Households in Project Areas (number of households) Other cereals watermelons Other crops Oil-bearing Raw cotton Vegetables Legumes No crops Potatoes Melons/ Grapes Fodder Maize Grain crops Fruit Rice Beruni - 4 7 26 1 27 8 8 68 44 67 82 19 5 8 Turtkul 5 43 15 42 8 49 7 24 81 68 75 78 46 9 16 Ellikkala - 9 2 18 3 66 2 24 61 53 53 56 23 14 - Source: Findings of the Household Survey 93 APPENDIX 2. FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF DISCUSSION INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND OTHER GROUP MEMBERS (IF NEEDED) AFTER INTRODUCTION, EXPLAIN THE PARTICIPANTS MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING/DISCUSSION: . 1. INTRODUCTORY PART We are working on the implementation of South Karakalpakstan Water Resources Management Improvement Project (SKWRMIP), which aims to improve the management of water resources, rehabilitation of irrigation systems in the project area. The project provides for the construction of new Buston canal, rehabilitation of Right Bank Canal (RBC), and rehabilitation of branch canals. Today, our meeting/discussion aims to obtain expert and population opinions on practical issues of the involvement of local population in area improvement in Uzbekistan, particularly in rural households. Our meeting’s objective is to obtain your opinions, questions, and proposals on this issue. One of the major benefits of this project is to improve and expand agricultural lands in these areas. Let’s talk abou t agricultural production from this perspective. 2. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. COSTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION 1) What are the main products produced by farms? TO PROBE:  Major types of products. Volume of production. Quality of products.  What are major costs borne by farms and dehkan entities for agricultural production (seed purchasing, irrigation, etc)?  Storage, transportation, methods of marketing/sales of products in domestic and foreign markets  Profit and losses of production/selling of goods  Accessibility of modernization, innovation, mechanization – substitution for manual labor 2) Practices of workforce involvement in agricultural production TO PROBE:  Major conditions of workforce involvement (voluntary/forced participation in agricultural production, working hours, payment, etc.)  Any evidence/description of particular cases of involvement in area improvement works, including harvesting, expansion of cultivated areas, mastering of new products, etc.;  Reasons for involvement of population and children in land improvement activities. Demand factor.  In case of detecting any evidence of forced involvement in land improvement, describe:  Forms of forced labor and methods of coercion (including elements of violence, deception, threats, limitation of rights, etc.) massively applied to the workers of public, private entities and organizations, medical professionals and educational workers, students, school children, etc. The concept of formal and informal “voluntary consent”.  Methods of forced involvement in land improvement activities 94  Its scale  Who is in charge of mobilizing and coordinating workers  Communication channels used  Penalties for non-fulfillment, etc.  Forced involvement of children in household work  Possibilities for non-use of forced labor practices in land improvement works.  Suggestions and recommendations. 3) Role of local, regional and national institutions in involvement/countering involvement of population and children in land improvement works. COTTON PRODUCTION. PRODUCTION COSTS, SOWING AND HARVESTING Raw cotton along with grain are the major crops produced in the country. Let’s talk about problems faced by farms related to cotton sowing, cultivation and harvesting. 4) What are the major costs borne by farms for raw cotton production? TO PROBE:  Major agricultural costs (seed procurement, irrigation, etc)  Storage, transportation, methods of marketing/sales of products in domestic and foreign markets  Accessibility of modernization, innovation, mechanization – substitution for manual labor 5) Amount of cotton produced by farmers? Product quality? TO PROBE:  Basic production volume. Raw cotton production quota.  What is the public share of production volume? What is the share of private sector?  Who establishes production volume to be sold to state. What is the purchasing price for these products in domestic markets? Who sets purchasing prices? Forms of payment.  What are the methods taken by the national/local authorities and institutions for stimulating farmers to improve quality and increase production?  Major benefits of production. Profit. Losses.  What measures are taken against those farmers who refuse to produce cotton? 6) How is raw cotton harvesting organized? TO PROBE:  Access to modernization, innovations, and mechanization – substitution for manual labor. Number of machines and equipment available to farms.  Involvement/hiring workforce for agricultural production with fixed wages.  Involvement of public sector workers and/or private firms in seasonal works  Who organizes involvement/hiring of workforce during harvesting season? Conditions of involvement/hiring.  Methods of payment. 3. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION RISKS The project aims to improve irrigation and drainage systems in the project area. According to expert assessments, project implementation will result in the expansion of cultivated areas in the project territory, improvement of soil condition, increase of agricultural production efficiency. With this, it may lead to the necessity to develop new lands under cultivation, additional costs of workforce, use of mechanization, etc. 95 Let’s talk about project implementation risks: 7) Will positive influence of the project on agricultural production contribute to or aggravate the use of forced labor in area improvement works due to the additional involvement of workforce for developing cultivated lands, harvesting, etc.? 8) What project activities could potentially contribute to or aggravate the use of forced labor in area improvement activities, including construction works, restoration of facilities temporarily used during project implementation, use of mechanization, landscaping and forestation, etc. 9) Describe any risk factors related to the use of forced labor in area improvement works. The use of forced labor of local population and children in area improvement results in dissatisfaction of basic human needs during active involvement in seasonal works in these areas. Let’s talk about such risks as: 10) Access to public health services TO PROBE:  Involvement of health professionals in seasonal works results in the absence of medical personnel in healthcare institutions who could provide timely and qualified medical aid  Absence of staff results in temporary closure of public health institutions 11) Access to education TO PROBE:  Involvement of workers of educational institutions (pre-school facilities, schools, colleges, lyceums, universities, etc.) in seasonal works results in inadequate staffing with qualified educational workers and lower teaching quality in educational institutions.  Absence of staff results in temporary closure of educational institutions. Let’s talk about legal framework for the involvement of population in area improvement works in our country. 4. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION OF LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF INVOLVING POPULATION IN AREA IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN UZBEKISTAN The Government of Uzbekistan signed several Conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) related to forced involvement in area improvement and public works. Provisions of these conventions have been incorporated in the national legislation. 12) Let’s talk about existing national laws and regulations prohibiting forced labor of population in land improvement, particularly in agriculture. TO PROBE:  Are participants familiar with national laws/international conventions signed by our government and prohibiting forced labor of population in land improvement works in Uzbekistan?  What activities and practices are undertaken to inform population of existing laws related to prohibiting forced labor in public works?  What organizations are responsible for implementing laws at the national, regional, and local levels (e.g. government agencies and officials, regional and local authorities, national and local NGOs, judiciary system, etc.)?  Who is inspecting the implementation of laws at the national, regional, and local levels?  What are practical measures to control the responsibility of these organizations along with their policies, activities, powers, interests, restrictions, strengths and weaknesses?  Are there any punishments for noncompliance with norms of national laws on the use forced labor for public works?  What are the obstacles for efficient prohibition of forced labor in public works? Specify reasons. 96  What measures need to be taken to raise efficiency? What are the capabilities?  Who should be responsible for better practices of prohibition of forced labor in public works. Who is in charge of implementation? Who is in charge of control?  Risks of inefficient implementation of practices/national laws on prohibition of forced labor in public works. 13) Existing national laws and regulations on prohibition of forced child labor in public works, particularly in agriculture. TO PROBE: See the item above 14) Effective specific models and practices in execution of banning child labor in public works TO PROBE:  Describe particular cases of efficient/inefficient measures and instruments for implementing national/regional policy on banning child labor in public works.  Strengths and weaknesses of existing system. 15) Analysis of activities of various institutions and organizations (employment centers, hokimiyats (local administration), mahalla committees, mass media, etc.) to identify problems and gaps allowing the spread of practices to force people to public works. TO PROBE:  Determine the degree of awareness of the problem of the involvement of workers of agencies and institutions (state, non-governmental, commercial, etc) in public works, as well as a range of basic expert assessments and judgments in relation to this issue. 16) Develop recommendations for strengthening mechanisms and institutions countering the spread of people involvement in public works. Suggestions and recommendations on strengthened control over inadmissibility of forced labor in public works and increased responsibility of persons involved. 5. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM Existing measures and practices aim to enforce prohibition of forced labor in the project area. For this, there should be an effective mechanism in place to review and redress complaints on forced labor in public works. Let’s talk about Third Party Monitoring (TPM) elements and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) 6. What grievance redress mechanisms for forced labor in public works exist in your area? TO PROBE:  Where are complaints/claims filed to in case of violation of legal rights, interests and/or human limitations?  Where are complaints/claims filed to in case of forced involvement of population and/or children in public works?  Describe how complaints and claims should be reviewed and processed  What measures should be taken?  What is the timeframe for reviewing a complaint/claim  How does the mechanism of reviewing complaints and claims work?  What to do if no decision is made regarding complaint/claim?  Who is in charge of controlling/monitoring the review process of complaints and claims?  Who should be in charge of managing TPM and GRM?  Should anonymity be guaranteed? If yes, then how?  What communication channels will probably be useful?  How to raise awareness of such channels?  Which stakeholders should be involved in implementing these mechanisms? 97  Risks that limit the efficiency of TPM and GRM  Suggestions and recommendations to improve GRM efficiency. 6. CONCLUSIONS. SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 98 APPENDIX 3. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HOUSEHOLDS Interview with a household head dealing with the issue of forced child and adult labor, from 18 to 60 years old (TO BE COMPLETED AFTER INTERVIEW) Questionnaire ID |____|____|____| PSU# |____|____| Town/district/settlement ENTER Code________ Standard area ENTER Code________ Household mail address Street Building # Date of interview: date |____|____| month |____|____| Start of interview: hours |____|____| minutes |____|____| End of interview: hours |____|____| minutes |____|____| Telephone number (with code) |____|____||____|____||____|____||____|____||____|____|____|||____||____| Interviewer: Name_______________________ Signature____________ Control visit: Name________________ Signature____________ № ____ Coding: Name_______________________ Signature____________ № ____ Оператор: фамилия _______________________ подпись ____________ № ____ INTRODUCTION. My name is _______. I work in a research organization in Tashkent. Here are my ID and passport. We were assigned to collect opinions of population on the use of forced child and adult labor in agriculture so that the government could take further efficient measures to improve enforcement practices for prohibiting the use of forced labor in the territory of South Karakalpakstan. Findings of our work will be presented as percentage of population opinions. This is why, even if you insist, we will not be able to specify your name and address. Your family was randomly selected by computer – as a lottery – out of households in your mahalla, and this is why I cannot replace your household with any other. You can refuse to talk to me but I request you to help me do my job. Our conversation will not take more than 30 minutes. RESPONDENT CONSENT: I, _________________________________________________, provide my consent for voluntary participation in this survey. I have been familiarized with survey conditions. Подпись _____________________________ Дата _____________________ 99 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. How many people live in your household (HH) including yourself? ______________ people 2. How many HH children are from 0 to 5 years of age? ______________________children 3. How many HH children are from 6 to 17 years of age? _____________________ children 4. Write down details of all children from 6 to 17 years of age. 4.4 Work with 4.2 Sex vegetables/fruit/cotton/grain Child 4.3 Year of 4.1 Name code birth 1. Male 2. Female 1. Yes 2. No 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 4 1 2 1 2 5 1 2 1 2 6 1 2 1 2 7 1 2 1 2 5. Do you have HH members in need of special care (handicapped, incapacitated, disabled)? 1. Yes (Skip to Question 6) 2. No (Skip to Question 7) 6. Specify number of persons/children in need of special care (handicapped, incapacitated, disabled)? (INT: SPECIFY NUMBER OF PEOPLE) 6.1 People (total)_____/of them: 6.2 Children aged 0-17________ 6.3 HH members aged 18 and over __________(INT: COMPLETE QUESTION 7) HOUSEHOLD WELFARE 8. Please assess your family welfare: Lack of money even for basic foodstuffs 1 Enough money for basic foodstuffs but no money for clothes and public utilities 2 Can fully afford foodstuffs, clothes and public utilities but unable to buy things like TV-set, 3 refrigerator, etc Can afford to buy TV-set, refrigerator but unable to buy a car, apartment/house or travel to other 4 countries, etc. Can afford to buy a car, apartment/house or travel to other countries, etc. 5 No answer 9 100 HOUSEHOLD RECORD LIST 7. Specify all members of your household aged 0-6 y.o., and 18 and over (INT: SPECIFY ALL HH MEMBERS BORN IN 1995-2007) Code 7.1 Name 7.2 Year of birth 7.3 Sex 7.4 Marital status 7.6 Education 7.7 Occupation 1 HH head 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 2 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 101 3 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 4 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 5 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 102 _______________________________ 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher education 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Other _____________ 7. Student 5. Higher education 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 6. Academic degree 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 6 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 7 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 103 5. Higher education 7. Student 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 6. Academic degree 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 8 HH member 1. Male 1. Married 1. Illiterate 1. No full-time job, seasonal work _______________________________ _____________ 2. Unemployed, disabled, housewife _______________________________ 2. Female 2. Single 2. Primary school _______________________________ 3. Pensioner 3. Divorced 3. Secondary vocational _______________________________ 4. Office worker/ works for private firm 4. Widow/widower 4. Incomplete higher 5. HH/Subsidiary plot worker education 5. Other _____________ 6. Farmer, agricultural worker, hired worker 5. Higher education 7. Student 6. Academic degree 8. Civil servant/works for budget organization 9. School children 10. Children up to 6 y.o. 11. Other ________________ 104 9. Specify expenditures of your household in 2013? (MONTHLY AVERAGE) (INT: COMPLETE THE TABLE) Item code cost Foodstuffs 1 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Clothes 3 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Electricity 4 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Cold water 5 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Disposal of liquid waste / garbage 7 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Gas, coal, woods 9 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer All types of telephones 10 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Housing fee without above items 11 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Transportation 12 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Education 13 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Medical treatment 14 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Holidays, weddings 15 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Gasoline for cars (liter) 16 ________ thousand sums 99. No answer Other (specify)_______________________________ 17 10. Do you receive allowances/state support or support from relatives? (INT: SPECIFY ALL TYPES OF ALLOWANCES/SUPPORT; MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) code No, I do not receive any support 99 Skip to Question 11 Yes, child allowance for low-income families 1 Yes, allowance for children under 1 y.o. 2 Yes, targeted social support 3 Yes, housing allowance 4 Yes, allowance for breadwinner loss 5 Yes, disability allowance (do not mix up with disability pension) 6 Yes, allowance for women with many children 7 Yes, allowance for families with many children 8 Yes, support from relatives 9 11. Has anybody of your HH members taken credits or borrowed money within the last 12 months? 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 13) 12. Have you repaid your credit/debt? 1. Yes, fully 2. Yes, partially 3. No 13. Is your household provided with the following:(INT: MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) code Hot water 1 Access to clean drinking water 2 105 Electricity 3 Central sewerage 4 Septic tank (individual sewerage) 5 Indoor toilet 6 Outdoor toilet 7 Subsidiary plot/vegetable garden 8 106 14. What of the listed below do you have in your household? (INT: MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) code TV-set 1 Refrigerator 2 Computer 3 Microwave oven 4 Vacuum cleaner 5 DVD-player 6 Washing machine 7 Home telephone 8 Cell phone 9 Car 10 Motorcycle 11 Tractor 12 Bicycle 13 Cart 14 Satellite dish 15 Other (specify) __________________________________________________________ 15. What livestock of the listed below do you have in your household? № Livestock Livestock Do not have population No livestock 99 Skip to Question 16 1 Cows/bulls ____________ 99 2 Sheep ____________ 99 3 Goats ____________ 99 4 Pigs ____________ 99 5 Horses ____________ 99 6 Camels ____________ 99 7 Poultry (chicken, geese, ducks, turkeys) ____________ 99 107 8 Other ________________________________ 16. What crops are cultivated in your household/subsidiary plot? Crop code 1 No crops 99 Skip to Question 17 2 Raw cotton 1 3 Grain 2 4 Grain 3 5 Maize 4 6 Other cereals 5 7 Potatoes 6 8 Oil-bearing crops 7 9 Legumes 8 10 Vegetables 9 11 Melons/watermelons 10 12 Fruit 11 13 Grapes 12 14 Fodder crops 13 15 Other __________ 14 108 PARTICIPATION IN AREA IMPROVEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (INT: SECTION TO BE COMPLETED ONLY BY THOSE RESPONDENTS BEING CIVIL SERVANTS/WORKERS OF BUDGET ORGANIZATIONS) 17. Specify your job № Name code 1 Educational institutions (pre-schools, schools, lyceums/colleges, 1 universities) 2 Healthcare institutions (hospitals, polyclinics, maternity houses, 2 etc.) 3 Law enforcement agencies (police, road police, military, etc.) 3 4 Administrative bodies / self-governing bodies (hokimiyats, 4 mahalla committees, rural residents assembly (RRA), etc.) 5 Other public institutions/budget organizations 5 18. What percentage of your work time is spent on: (INT: INDICATE CODE FOR PERCENTAGE) NOTE: (IF RESPONDENT INDICATES 100% OF WORK TIME AS A TOTAL OF RESPONSES 18.1 AND 18.2, GO TO QUESTION 37) № Name Code Percentage 18.1 Direct execution of functional duties 1. up to 15% 18.2 Administrative duties (briefs, meetings, conference calls, staff-meetings, 2. 16-25% etc) 3. 26-50% 18.3 Participation in improvement of workplace, building, landscape, etc. 4. 51-75% 18.4 Participation in seasonal harvesting works 5. 76-100% 18.5 Other (specify) ________________________________________ 19. Do you or your colleagues/fellow workers take part in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? 1. Yes 2. No 20. Did you or your colleagues/fellow workers take part in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works in the recent years? (INT: FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS) 1. Yes 2 No (INT: IF RESPONDENT DOES NOT PARTICIPATE AND DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN AREA IMPROVEMENT/SEASONAL HARVESTING WORKS IN THE AREA/TOWN AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS: IF CODE 2 APPLIES TO ANSWERS 19 AND 20, SKIP TO QUESTION 37) 21. How long does participation in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works take? (INT: SPECIFY NUMBER OF HOURS PER MONTH) /_/_/_/_/ hours per month 109 22. How long did participation in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works take in the recent years? (INT: SPECIFY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS)? (INT: SPECIFY NUMBER OF HOURS PER MONTH) /_/_/_/_/ hours per month 23. Who informs you of the possibility to take part in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? (INT: MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE, SPECIFY RATED CHAIN OF ORGANIZERS’ LEVEL) Name Code Level 1 Representatives of ministries, agencies, committees 1 2 Representatives of district/town hokimiyat 2 3 Representatives of mahalla committee 3 4 Representatives of WUA 4 5 Representatives of RRA 5 6 Head of department/organization 6 7 Farmer/owner of land 7 8 Personal initiative 8 9 Other (specify) _________________________________________ 9 Difficult to answer 99 24. Do you receive any additional payments/incentives for active participation in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? 1. Yes 2. No 25. How do you get to the site of area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? Name Code 1 Transportation provided by organizers 1 2 Public transport 2 3 Personal car 4 On foot 3 5 Taxi 4 6 Other (specify) ______________________________________________ Difficult to answer 99 26. Who covers your transportation costs to get to the site of area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? Name Code 110 1 Ministries, agencies, committees 1 2 District/town hokimiyat 2 3 Mahalla committee 3 4 WUA 4 5 RRA 5 6 Employer/ funded from organization 6 7 Farmer/ land owner 7 8 Nobody pays, pay on my own 8 9 Other (specify) _________________________________________ 9 Difficult to answer 99 111 27. If due to any reasons you cannot or do not want to participate in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works, what measures may be taken against you? Option Code 1 None, participation is voluntary 1 2 Warning/reprimand by leadership of organization 2 3 Cancellation of bonuses, salaries, and other payments 3 4 Employment termination, expulsion 4 5 Necessity to pay for hiring a worker 6 Necessity to find replacement 7 Other (specify) ______________________________________________ 8 Difficult to answer 99 28. Which public institutions/budget organizations staff are involved in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? № Name Frequency of Code participation Educational institutions (pre-schools, schools, lyceums/colleges, 1 universities) 1. Regular 2 Healthcare institutions (hospitals, polyclinics, maternity houses, etc.) participation 3 Law enforcement agencies (police, road police, military, etc.) 2. Rare participation 3. No participation Administrative bodies / self-governing bodies (hokimiyats, mahalla 4 committees, RRA, etc.) 5 Other (specify) ___________________________________ 29. Has the situation with involvement in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works changed compared to the previous year? Option Code 1 Yes. They do not organize/involve at all 1 2 Yes. Workers are hired at the expense of farmers, hokimiyat, etc. 2 3 Yes. Workers are hired at the expense of public institutions/budget 3 organizations workers 4 Yes. Workers hired at the expense of private entities and enterprises 4 5 Yes. Participation is rarer than a year ago 5 6 Yes. More frequent involvement than a year ago 6 112 7 No, situation has not changed 7 8 Other (specify)___________________________________ 30. Whom do you think you can address your complaints to if you or your colleagues refuse to participate in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works? Name Code 1 Representatives of ministries, agencies, committees 1 2 Representatives of district/town hokimiyat 2 3 Representatives of mahalla committee 3 4 Representatives of WUA 4 5 Representatives of RRA 5 6 Head of department/organization 6 7 Law enforcement agencies 7 8 Farmer/owner of land 8 9 Representatives of ministries, agencies, committees 9 10 Other (specify) ___________________________________________________ 113 31. Do you think that participation in area improvement/seasonal harvesting works in your area/town and other public works is forced? 1. Yes 2. No 32. Do you or your colleagues participate in seasonal cotton harvesting? 1. Yes 2. No 33. Did you or your colleagues participate in seasonal cotton harvesting before? (for the last years) 1. Yes 2 No (Skip to Question 37) 34. Who involved you or your colleagues in seasonal cotton harvesting works? Name Code 1 Representatives of ministries, agencies, committees 1 2 Representatives of district/town hokimiyat 2 3 Representatives of mahalla committee 3 4 Representatives of WUA 4 5 Representatives of RRA 5 6 Head of department/organization 6 7 Farmer/owner of land 7 8 Personal initiative 8 9 Other (specify) _________________________________________ 9 Difficult to answer 99 35. Describe conditions on which you and your colleagues participated in seasonal cotton harvesting? (INT: SPECIFY SUCH WORK CONDITIONS AS TRANSPORTATION, CATERING, ACCOMMODATION, WORK TIME SPENT, SEASONAL WORK PERIOD, AMOUNT OF COTTON TO PICK PER DAY, ETC.) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 36. Who is in charge of organizational matters for involvement in seasonal cotton harvesting? Name Code 1 Ministries, agencies, committees 1 2 District/town hokimiyat 2 3 Mahalla committee 3 4 WUA 4 114 5 RRA 5 6 Employer/ funded from organization 6 7 Farmer/ land owner 7 8 Other (specify) _________________________________________ 9 Difficult to answer 99 115 ACCESS TO EDUCATION 37. Are there pre-schools, schools, and other educational establishments in your neighborhood? (INT: MULTIPLE RESPONSES ARE POSSIBLE) Code 1 Yes, pre-school facility 1 2 Yes, secondary school (9 grades) 2 3 Yes, lyceum/college 3 4 Other (specify) ________________________________________ 4 5 None 99 38. Is it easy to get to pre-school/lyceum/college? (INT: INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995- 2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST. ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH CHILD) Code Child’s name Codes 1 12345 1. Yes, easy 2. Not very easy 2 12345 3. No, difficult 3 1 2 3 4 5 4. Does not attend school, misses classes 4 1 2 3 4 5 5. Lives and studies in 5 1 2 3 4 5 boarding school 6. Other 6 1 2 3 4 5 ________________ 7 12345 39. Does your child miss classes at school/lyceum/college? 1. Yes, misses 2. No, does not miss (Skip to Question 41) 40. If your child missed classes at school/lyceum/college during the last 6 months, please specify major reasons? Code Child’s name Codes 1 1234567 1. School is too far 2. Children are not interested 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3. Costs of education are too 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 high 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4. Health problems (disabled children) 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5. Children nurse juniors / help 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 in household work 6. Children work /help during 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 agricultural seasons 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7. Other (specify) _______ 9 1234567 41. Are there opportunities for children development in your area and what of the listed your children attend: (INT: QUESTION REFERS TO ALL CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD) Yes / my children Yes / my children do № No attend not attend 21.1 Study groups at school 1 2 9 21.2 Additional classes 1 2 9 21.3 Sports groups 1 2 9 21.4 Internet-café 1 2 9 116 21.5 Preliminary/educational courses 1 2 9 21.6 Other ________________ 117 ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE 42. Are there any healthcare facilities in your village/settlement? (INT: MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) № Code 1 Polyclinic 1 2 Hospital 2 3 SVP (rural primary healthcare station) 3 4 First aid station 4 5 None 5 Other (specify) __________________________________ 43. What healthcare services do your children have access to? № Yes No 1 Immunization, vaccination 1 2 2 Emergency aid 1 2 3 Care for newborns 1 2 4 Dentist 1 2 5 Pediatrician 1 2 6 Surgeon 1 2 Other (specify) __________________________________ 44. Rate the quality of healthcare services provided to your children in your area as per five-score scale? (INT: EXPLAIN RATING TO RESPONDENT) 5 4 3 2 1 Excellent Good Satisfactory Bad Very bad 45. Are there periods/seasons when healthcare services are inaccessible in your settlement? 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 47) 46. Specify reasons why healthcare services are inaccessible: № Code 1 Low qualification of healthcare personnel – medical services are accessible if provided by healthcare personnel from neighboring 1 districts/regions 2 Healthcare facilities are too far from residents and weather conditions 2 make access difficult 3 Seasonal agricultural works: all household members are busy 3 4 Seasonal agricultural works: healthcare workers participate in 4 seeding/harvesting, including cotton Other (specify) __________________________________ 47. Did your children have health problems in the last six months? 118 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 50) 48. Specify health problems of your children. (INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN FROM THE RECORD LIST, MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) Child Year of Specify Child’s name Code code birth codes 1 1. Allergy/skin itch, rash 2. Vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach 2 3. Exhaustion, fatigue 4. Sun stroke 3 5. Headaches/dizziness 6. Back pain 4 7. Burns, frostbite 5 8. Respiratory diseases (respiratory distress) 6 9. Open wounds 10. Fractures, traumas 7 11. Strains, dislocations 8 12. Malaise 13 Fever, acute respiratory virus , acute respiratory disease, influenza 9 14 Insect/snake bites 15 Other___________________ 99 No problem 49. If your child (children) feel bad at home, school, work place, who do they typically refer to (INT: MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE): № Code 1 Parents (mother/father) 1 2 Physician/healthcare provider 2 3 Friends 3 4 Household adult members 4 5 Employer 5 6 Will suffer till the end of working day 6 7 Adults working in the field 7 8 Educator, teacher, counselor 8 9 Traditional healer 9 10 Nobody 99 11 Other (specify) __________________________________ LEISURE TIME ARRANGEMENTS 50. Do your children have free time? (INT: COPY RECORDS OF ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995- 2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST) Ch. Year of code Child’s name birth YES NO 1 1 1 119 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 51. What do your children do in their free time? (INT: COPY RECORDS OF ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995-2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST, TICK ALL RELEVANT ANSWERS) Ch. Year of Specify code Child’s name birth Code codes 1 1. lay with each other 2. 2 o out with friends 3. 3 ttend study groups 4. atch TV 4 5. isten to music 5 6. ead/draw/self- 6 education 7. elp HH adult 7 members / nurse juniors 8 8. ork /help at home during agricultural 9 season 9. othing 10. ther (specify) 52. Does your child participate/help during agricultural works? 1. Yes 2. No 53. When you were a child, did you have to earn money? 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 55) 54. Why “yes”? __________________________________________________________________________________________ 55. Specify reasons why your child has to actively participate in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town. (INT: COPY CHILDREN BORN IN 1995-2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST, MULTIPLE ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE) Child’s Year of Specify code Child’s name birth Code children My child (children) does not work (SKIP TO QUESTION 58) 99 1 1. Wants to make money for himself 2. Additional family income 2 3. Nothing else to do 4. Child is not interested in 3 going to school, studies are 120 4 of no use 5. Employer provides accommodation and food for 5 work 6. Helps family repay debts 6 7. All friends are working 8. Acquires skills 7 10. Traditional approach that all family members work/ no other options 8 11. Replaces other family members who are sick or 9 unable to work now 12. Other (specify) 56. Does your child get any payments/incentives for active participation in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town? 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 62) 57. Does your child get payments/incentives or you receive them on his/her behalf? 1. Yes, he/she receives them 2. No, parents receive for him/her 58. What is the form of payment/incentive? 1. Cash 2. In kind 3. Partly cash/partly in kind 59. How often does your child receive payments/incentives? (INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995-2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST) Child Year of Specify code Child name birth Code codes 1 2 1. Once a year 3 2. Once in six months 3. Quarterly 4 4. Monthly 5 5. Weekly 6 6. Every day at the end 7. Do not know 7 8. Other (specify) 8 9 60. What do you do with your child income/incentives?( INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995- 2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST) Child Year of Specify code Child name birth Code codes 1 2 1. Buy food for family 2. Buy things for children 3 3. Fully spend on household 4 needs 5 4. Partly goes to children, the rest is spent at my discretion 6 5. Save for (specify purpose) _____________ 7 6. Child fully appropriates payment 8 Other (specify) 9 61. Is income earned by your child for participation in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town of help for family budget? (INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995-2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST) Child Year of Specify code Child name birth Code codes 121 1 2 3 1. Yes, it helps a lot 2. Yes, it is substantial but not 4 major income 5 3. No, income is small, 6 insignificant No, family budget is not affected 7 if child does not work 8 9 62. Do you (father, mother, household members) actively participate in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town together with your children? 1. Yes 2. No 63. How long, on the average, does it take your children to participate in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town a year? (INT: COPY ALL CHILDREN BORN IN 1995-2006 FROM THE RECORD LIST) Child Year of Specify code Child name birth Codes codes 1 3. 11-1 1. January 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 2 2. February 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 3. March 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3 3. 11-1 4. April 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 4 5. May 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 6. June 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 5 3. 11-1 7. July 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 6 8. August 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 9. September 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days 7 days 3. 11-1 10. October 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 8 3. 11-1 11. November 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days days 3. 11-1 12. December 1. 1- 5 days 2. 6-10 days 9 days 64. Do your children take part in area improvement / seasonal harvesting works in your area/town voluntarily? 1. Yes 2. No (Skip to Question 66) 65. What conditions do your children complain about? (INT: WRITE DOWN RESPONDENT’S ANSWER WORD FOR WORD) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ 66. Do the local authorities create any conditions for comprehensive and harmonious development of children in your district? 1. Yes 2. No 67. Does the administration of educational facilities control your child attendance? 122 1. Yes, strict control 2. Yes, weak control 3. No, attendance is not controlled 99. Difficult to answer 68. Do you have in your settlement public organizations, mahalla committees, women’s associations, or NGOs defending interests of children? 1. Yes 2. No (Finish the interview) 69. What do public organizations, mahalla committees, women’s associations, or NGOs do to protect rights and interests of children in your settlement?( INT: WRITE DOWN RESPONDENT’S ANSWER WORD FOR WORD) __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ THANKS FOR PARTICIPATION! 123