Officials in Turkmenistan have long been under international scrutiny for recruiting children to harvest cotton, the country's most important crop. In recent years, the country has enforced laws forbidding the use of child labor. But this harvest season, it appears that even young children are back at work in the fields. RFE/RL's Turkmen Service captured these photos from the cotton fields in Ahal and Lebap provinces. (10 PHOTOS)
Child Labor In Turkmenistan's Cotton Fields
1
Young children in the cotton fields in Lebap Province
2
Turkmenistan produces more than 1 million tons of cotton each year.
3
Children pick cotton in Ahal Province.
4
5
Workers load a cotton harvester in Ahal Province.
6
A mound of harvested cotton in Ahal Province
7
8
A boy works the cotton harvest in Lebap Province.
9
10
Young children carry bags of harvested cotton.