KHUJAND, September 13, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Employees of enterprises and organizations in Sughd province, including the regional administration, have been sent to work in cotton fields in the province since September 11, the source at the Sughd regional administration told Asia-Plus today.

“600 volunteers were sent to help farmers yield cotton in Zafarobod district on September 11 and the next group of volunteers will be sent tomorrow or day after tomorrow,” said the source.  “In all, some 4,000 volunteers will help cotton farmers this year.”  According to him, primarily employees of enterprises that are currently not in operation are sent to work in cotton fields.

In the meantime, administrations of local universities and vocational and technical schools say they will not send their students to cotton plantations this year.