Brussels, 24/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is calling, in committee, for a firm EU response internationally in order to restrict child labour in cotton fields.
In a draft resolution on sustainability in the global cotton value chain, adopted by the international trade committee on Wednesday 23 January, MEPs call for the EU to take a strong stance with a view to its possible accession to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
In addition to other messages, MEPs call for a better regulation on the widespread use of child labour in the cotton production chain. They call on the EU, as the largest provider of development aid in the cotton sector, to respond with sanctions in proven cases of slavery or forced labour in the cotton supply chain.
“Our priority is the fight against trade distorting measures in order to give better conditions for small-scale producers from developing countries. At the same time we have to reduce the volatility of cotton prices for our producers. We gave particular attention to the use of forced child labour in cotton fields asking ICAC to control its members' production process at any stage of the cotton supply chain”, explained the rapporteur, Cristiana Muscardini (ECR, Italy).
Among the strong measures that the EU can take against forced child labour in the cotton fields, MEPs mention the withdrawal of trade preferences granted to third countries that are found to be in breach of human rights or labour rights enshrined in core international conventions.
MEPs suggest, moreover, that the Commission should propose a traceability mechanism for goods produced through forced and child labour, and that the ICAC should finalise a labelling system. (EH/transl.jl)