From 1 to 3 December 2025, Jizzakh city hosted a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme that brought together representatives from the Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as farmers and agricultural workers involved in cotton cultivation. The training focused on promoting fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW) and fostering appropriate workplace behaviour, including the prevention of violence and harassment. Its goal was to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen decent work practices and build safe, respectful, and inclusive working environments in rural communities.
A total of 50 participants attended the training, including representatives from the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, the Confederation of Employers, and farmers from Dustlik and Syrdarya districts. The diverse composition ensured a tripartite approach while enabling direct engagement with grassroots actors in cotton cultivation.
During the training, participants deepened their understanding of FPRW, covering the elimination of child and forced labour, the promotion of non-discrimination, and the advancement of safe and healthy working conditions. The sessions also emphasized collective bargaining, social dialogue, and local grievance mechanisms as key elements for fostering sustainable labour practices in the cotton sector.
A dedicated module addressed appropriate workplace behaviour and the prevention of violence and harassment, aligned with ILO standards. Participants explored the forms and root causes of violence and harassment in agricultural settings, including gender-based harassment and bullying, and learned practical strategies for prevention, early detection, and response. The programme’s ToT format enabled participants to develop facilitation skills for effectively transferring knowledge within their organizations, districts, and farming communities through exercises, case studies, role-plays, and training plan preparation.
The training was delivered under the ILO RISE for Impact project, which supports cotton-growing communities in Uzbekistan by advancing core labour standards, building local knowledge, and promoting a fairer, more sustainable agricultural economy based on rights, transparency, and opportunity.
By the end of the event, participants had enhanced their technical knowledge of labour rights and workplace conduct, improved coordination across institutions, and acquired practical tools for replication at the local level. The ToT is expected to foster a work culture in the cotton sector where violence and harassment are not tolerated and FPRW form the foundation for fair and responsible working conditions.
