Teachers and Employees of Educational Institutions in the city of Gulistan in the Syrdarya Region Mobilised to Harvest Cotton on a Daily Basis
Everyday at 6am employees of educational institutions gather and call the roll next to Regional Drama Theatre.
Employees of educational institutions in Gulistan are gathering up near to the Drama Theatre to head off for cotton picking
The roll call is read out by their school principals or a member of the city educational authority. They are then mobilised to work in the cotton fields. According to teachers, school principals call and insult teachers who have not shown up punctually at the meeting point, usually between 6 and 7 am. An eye witness has confirmed this. One of the school employees who was late showing up was insulted by her school principal during a phone call:
“Where are you? I do not want to see you anymore. Who allowed you to do what you want to do? You have to go to school and hand in your resignation and never show up again!”
There are about 15 buses waiting to transfer cotton pickers in the mornings. About 50-60 people in total get on each bus. Due to mass mobilisation during the weekends, there are more than 1,000 people gathered at the same spot every day. Buses have to make the same journey twice to transfer all people.”
Message from Gulistan city
20th September, 2016.
