Leaving behind schools, hospitals, and government offices, each harvest season thousands of citizens are forced to labor across cotton fields in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Not only does it leave vital government services understaffed, but it also means despite claims to the contrary, forced labor is still woven into cotton production in Central Asia.

Public servants turned cotton pickers

Working from sunrise to sunset with only a short break for lunch. Told to bring folding beds and sleep in makeshift dorms near the cotton fields for weeks if not months. Workers and rights groups are all telling the same story. Authorities in Central Asia are still using public employees for forced labor. With workers reporting threats of being fired, disciplinary action or expulsion from school, it’s clear state-sponsored forced labor is still taking place throughout the region.

A teacher who wished to remain anonymous told Radio Free Europe:

All employees of our schools — teachers, guards, and administrative and technical staff — are picking cotton. We were ordered that if someone asks we should say we came of our own free will.

And while picking, the cost of all meals is deducted from the worker’s pay. If someone can’t take part due to health or age, they are required to hire a replacement at their own expense. The lucky ones are those who can afford to bribe officials and get out of the backbreaking work.

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