SYRIAN CHILD WORKERS WORKING IN TEXTILE WORKSHOPS: A FIELD RESEARCH IN BAGCILAR, ISTANBUL

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the working and living conditions of Syrian children aged 15 and younger, working in textile workshops in Bağcılar region, from the perspective of social services. The research period is 6 months in total, from November 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The research employed in-depth interview method from qualitative research methods. During the research, 32 people were individually interviewed, and 1 focus group discussion was held, thus a total of 35 people were interviewed. Interviews were conducted in Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish. The data were recorded with tape recorder and then analyzed with descriptive analysis method. Observation notes for the field were also included in the study.

According to the findings of the research, child workers work on average 11 hours a day, 60 hours a week. The wages of participants vary between 500-1,200 TL. Long working hours, difficulties in working conditions and malnutrition have led to many illnesses (developmental disorders (height, weight), asthma, arthralgia (pain in the joints), fainting fit, etc.) in participants. Participants also reported continuous exposure to physical violence (slapping, ear-pulling, throwing scissors, slapping, hitting with screwdriver, etc.) and verbal violence (insults, swearing, firing, etc.). Male and younger participants were found to be exposed to more physical violence. Participants stated that they had to share the economic burden of their families and thus felt compelled to work. There is a greater sense of responsibility in families where the father is absent or sick.

According to research data, most of the participants feel nostalgia (longing for the past) and feel despair for the future. Participants sometimes felt that they were being excluded and alienated. Participants all reported that they wanted to go to school, get a job, and get involved in local culture.

Keywords

• : child labor,textile,Syrian children workers,immigration

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