ReliefWeb

As the world marks Universal Children’s Day today, CARE Australia is voicing its concern about Syrian refugee families becoming increasingly reliant on child labour to pay for food and rent.

While the world’s attention is currently focused on the 13 million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, CARE country programs manager, Jenny Clement is asking people to also remember the one million children who have been forced to flee Syria.

Around 30,000 Syrian children are currently working in Jordan according to the latest government estimates and the International Labour Organisation warns that the number of child labourers in Jordan may be even higher. In Lebanon, at least 50,000 Syrian refugee children need to work to support their families.

Ms Clement said many of the refugees who have registered for assistance with CARE fled Syria without male family members because husbands and fathers have died or remain in the country.

‘Unfortunately, we are seeing young boys becoming their family’s breadwinner. Being pushed into the workforce usually means these children are being pulled out of school. Hundreds of thousands of children have lost more than two years of education already and if we do not act immediately, an entire generation of children will miss out on an education,’ Ms Clement added.

In Jordan, less than one third of the 150,000 Syrian school-aged children are currently enrolled in school, while in neighbouring Lebanon – the country that hosts the highest number of refugees – estimates show that the enrolment rates of Syrian children are less than 10 per cent.

Ms Clement said, ‘The longer refugee families remain in neighbouring countries the more financially vulnerable they become. Families have spent their savings and there is increased pressure for many to send children out to work. The social and psychological impact of war on children is already immense. Working long hours under harsh conditions will add to their distress.’

Salam Kanaan, CARE’s country director in Jordan, said that because it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to work in Jordan, many children find themselves in deplorable and alarmingly exploitative situations.

‘They are paid below the minimum wage and work long hours without appropriate safety equipment. I recently talked to one 13-year-old boy who works 15 hours every day. Similar to many others, he has to accept a wage as low as $3 a day and sometimes his boss does not pay him at all. His hands are tied because he does not have a work permit. If he loses his job, his family will have no source of income,’ Ms Kanaan said.

CARE is calling on the public to support Syrian families so children can go back to school and do not have to work to provide for their families.

‘If the financial support for Syrian refugees remains as limited as it is now, the number of children working will increase. Refugee families will have no other option but to send their children out to work,’ Ms Kanaan added.

A donation of $140 can feed a family for a month. To donate to CARE’s Syrian refugee crisis appeal, visit www.care.org.au/syria or call 1800 020 046.

Media interviews with Jenny Clement (Australia) and Salam Kanaan (Jordan) are available. For more information please contact CARE Australia Senior Media Officer Helen Walsh on 0412 449 691.