Mairemnisha Ahmetniyaz, a cotton pikcer of Hanairike Town in Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture

My name is Mairemnisha Ahmetniyaz and I am a farmer of Hanairike Town in Hotan County in southern Xinjiang. In the past 10 year, every year I would go to Aksu to pick up cotton. Recently, I read from the news that some western companies made up the ridiculous claim that they will stop using cotton produced in Xinjiang, based on the groundless excuse of “forced labor”. When I hear that, I was so angry: we are working diligently to make a better living; Does that need to be “forced”?

Since 2010, every year in August or September, when the cotton is ripe for harvest, I would go to Aksu to pick up cotton so as to increase family’s income. The owners of the cotton field provide us with free and wonderful lodging and free and delicious food. In the break time, I would invite my roommates and we would go to a restaurant to enjoy a wonderful dinner, which is so fabulous! Normally in the two months I could earn more than 10,000 yuan, which is quite a big sum. In 2018 and 2019, because I could work fast and efficient, I was even given the honorable title of “excellent cotton picker”, which made me and my family so proud. In the last 10 years, by picking up cotton I earned more than 150,000 yuan. With the income, we built a new house and had a brilliant wedding for my son. I was happy and feeling fulfilled!

We use our own two hands in picking up cotton and by doing that work we made a better living. That does not need to be “forced” at all! And no body could “force” us at all! We will never allow any one to try to sabotage our way of increasing our income and making a better living!