Social impacts of global cotton production

This paper reviews and categorises the most significant social science studies of labour and social impacts in cotton cultivation in ten focus countries, identified as the largest producers by volume. It identifies and evaluates the key existing data and information sources on the social impacts, positive and negative, of global cotton cultivation. It suggests areas where greater information and research is required, and potential ways for the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) to support the development of means to collate this information and research.

The paper covers the following:

• it provides a detailed picture of the research and data available on employment in cotton-growing in the ten focus countries and finds that there is a paucity of reliable and comprehensive data on employment in cotton production
• it presents data on labour intensivity in (non-mechanised) developing country contexts, to understand how cotton cultivation has been an important contributor to job creation where these jobs are most needed
• it looks at the emerging body of research which focuses on quality, rather than quantity, of labour in cotton cultivation and argues that although without jobs there are no ‘labour standards’, a sole focus on job creation in global cotton cultivation is insufficient to explain its social impacts
• it presents an analytical overview of national legislation on employment and occupational health and safety relevant to cotton production and explains how national legislation applies to cotton production (and agriculture more generally) in these countries
• it provides a summary of the key literature relating to health and safety, child labour, forced labour, and the role of women in cotton cultivation

The paper suggests that the fundamental issue raised by this summary of social research materials is that the positive impacts of cotton production can and should be the answer to many of the negative impacts with which it is associated - by creating decent jobs, which enable people to work themselves (safely, equitable and in dignity) toward improved economic circumstances.

The paper concludes  that considerable further work needs to be undertaken to ascertain and realise the circumstances under which all people involved may effectively benefit from their participation in cotton-growing.