Child labor in Iraq... a growing crisis that threatens the future of future generations!

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[size=52]Child labor in Iraq... a growing crisis that threatens the future of future generations![/size]

[size=45]In recent years, Iraq has witnessed a significant increase in the phenomenon of child labor, as this social problem has become a major challenge for both the government and society.[/size]
[size=45]The reasons for the high number of working children are due to several factors, most notably extreme poverty and widespread unemployment among adults, in addition to weak legislation and legal procedures that protect children's rights. The deteriorating economic conditions, which have been exacerbated by ongoing wars and conflicts, have led many Iraqi families to send their children to work at an early age to secure an additional source of income.[/size]
[size=45]Available data indicates that thousands of children, especially in rural areas and poor urban areas, drop out of school and engage in work ranging from agriculture, street vending, and sometimes working in workshops and factories in inhumane conditions. These conditions threaten their basic rights such as education and health, and expose them to health and psychological risks that may have long-term effects.[/size]
[size=45]Local and international human rights organizations have repeatedly sounded the alarm about this phenomenon, noting that child labor in Iraq is not limited to poor economic conditions, but is also linked to weak oversight and the absence of effective programs that provide social protection and support for poor families.[/size]
[size=45]Some reports indicate that government agencies, despite their modest attempts to address this issue, are still unable to develop radical solutions, given the security, political and economic challenges facing the country.[/size]
[size=45]The head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, Fadhel Al-Gharawi, said, “Iraq ranks fourth in the Arab world in child labor, and more than 200 million children in the world between the ages of 6 and 17 work in the labor market, 80% of whom are males.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Gharawi explained that “Iraq ranks fourth in child labor after Yemen, Sudan, and Egypt, with a rate of 4.9% in young age groups, whose work is concentrated in the industrial, agricultural, and service sectors at high rates.”[/size]
[size=45]He explained that “the high rates of child labor in Iraq are due to the economic situation, due to the low family income, high rates of unemployment and poverty, the conflicts that Iraq has experienced, displacement, high rates of domestic violence against children, and the weakness of the legal system and strategies to protect children’s rights.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Gharawi added that “despite Iraq’s ratification of the main fundamental agreements that protect children from all forms of child labor, and the fact that it is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the rates of child labor in Iraq are still high.”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, social researcher Mahmoud Daoud said, “Engaging in work at an early age hinders children’s academic progress as it deprives them of educational opportunities. In addition, the responsibility of work requires them to prioritize work over education, and this also affects their ability to focus on their studies by saving their time and energy at work.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “Long working hours, physical stress, and exposure to dangerous environments contribute to stress and anxiety. Physical stress can lead to fatigue and physical disorders, while dangerous working conditions can instill fear and anxiety about their safety.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “Children who work in unsafe conditions are vulnerable to physical and sexual exploitation, abuse and violence, and may be subjected to physical or verbal assault, where these experiences can have severe psychological consequences leading to trauma, fear and deep mistrust of others.”[/size]
[size=45]“The lack of a nurturing and protective environment has a greater impact on their mental health and self-esteem. Lack of emotional support, guidance and care can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness, and can deprive them of opportunities for positive social interactions and the development of healthy relationships, which has a greater impact on their mental health,” he continued.[/size]
[size=45]Human rights reports, as well as Iraqi officials, indicate that the high rates of poverty in Iraq have pushed the child labor index to record numbers in most cities of the country during the past two years.[/size]
[size=45]Human rights reports indicate that more than one million children work at an early age, in light of the high poverty rate, continued forced displacement, and lack of educational opportunities, which have pushed them to work early to support their families.[/size]
[size=45]About one million Iraqi school-age children are in the labor market today, and approximately 30% of Iraqi families have children working in various fields. She adds that these children work for a daily wage, which indicates that they are involved in temporary and low-paying jobs, in addition to their involvement in domestic service and construction work.[/size]
[size=45]Sources indicate that children are also involved in illegal activities, such as theft, begging, garbage collection, and even drug dealing. As part of the illegal activities, organized gangs recruit girls into nightclubs and exploit them in prostitution and human trafficking. There are documented cases of this situation that the Iraqi government and security authorities ignore, because most of those working in this field are supported by influential parties in the state, according to the sources.[/size]
[size=45]The laws of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Iraq stipulate that the perpetrator of child labor shall be punished with a penalty ranging from a fine to suspension of the employer’s license or even suspension of the activity.[/size]
[size=45]Under the Human Trafficking Law, anyone who exploits a person who is not aware of his rights, such as children, is punished with imprisonment or a fine.[/size]
[size=45]Internationally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Article (32-1) states: “States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.”[/size]
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