FORCED CHILD LABOUR IN STREET WORK SECTOR IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

The problem of child labour in Uzbekistan has undergone significant transformation in recent years. While child labour in the cotton sector was previously a major concern, legal reforms and strengthened monitoring mechanisms have substantially addressed this problem. However, child labour has not disappeared completely and has increasingly become visible in informal economic activities, including street vending, car washing, carrying goods, begging and other forms of street work. These activities may expose children to exploitation, hazardous working conditions and deprivation of education. This article examines forced child labour in the street sector in Uzbekistan from human rights and criminal justice perspectives. It analyses the causes of forced child labour, the existing international and national legal framework, practical challenges in identifying and protecting child victims, and possible institutional and legal reforms. The research combines doctrinal legal analysis with empirical survey findings. The survey demonstrates the high visibility of children working in street settings and identifies poverty and parental exploitation among the main contributing factors. The findings also indicate that respondents largely support a comprehensive approach combining legal, social, economic and institutional measures.