This story, Child Labor: As close as the shirt on your back, was originally published back in June, but it is timely as it is now, September through December, when children in Uzbekistan are forced to work 12 hour days to pick cotton. Did you know that Uzbekistan is the second or third largest exporter of cotton? Or that it is the Uzbek government that is making these children work in the cotton fields?

Video of children picking cotton

I love cotton clothes so it troubles me to learn that children may be involved in the cultivation of my favorite fiber. As consumers, we need to ask where the cotton is coming from the next time we purchase our t-shirts or jeans. Here is a link to a video of an interview with Michael Kobori,Vice President of Social and Environmental Sustainibility for Levi Strauss & Co. Levi Strauss is recognized as a leader when it comes to pushing themselves to achieve social compliance in their operations.

Responsible Sourcing Network