The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Turkmenistan has officially classified the professions “Cotton Picker” (Pagta Ýygymçy) and “Cotton Worker” (Pagtaçy) as hazardous and prohibited occupations for individuals under 18 years old.
The Ministerial Order No. 105-iş, issued on July 12, 2024, builds upon the 2018 regulation that designates certain professions as unsuitable for minors due to harmful and dangerous working conditions. With this new regulation, the legal restrictions on minors working in the cotton industry have been further strengthened to ensure the protection of young workers’ rights and workplace safety.
This regulation was officially published on the website of the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan in the summer of 2024 and has now come into legal force.
Key Points of the New Regulation:
An amendment to the 2018 ministerial order was introduced.
Cotton-related professions were officially added to the list of hazardous occupations for minors under 18.
The enforcement of this regulation will be overseen by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection.
As previously reported by Atavatan Media, Turkmenistan continues to implement reforms in labor legislation to enhance workers’ rights and safety. This decision further reinforces the legal restrictions preventing individuals under 18 from engaging in cotton-related labor. The Turkmen government aims to align its policies with international labor standards, ensuring the protection of young workers’ health and rights.