What Should You Do If You Witness Child Labor in Syria?

Note: This material is for general awareness and is not legal advice. If the child is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical assistance, contact your local emergency numbers immediately.

To learn more about the phenomenon of child labor and how to combat it in Syria, you can read the brief guide we have prepared at “Andak Khabar” via the link here (guide link).

Why Can Random Intervention Be Harmful?

Empathy might push us toward public confrontation, filming, or trying to “solve the problem” quickly. But in cases of child labor, hasty, random intervention can be harmful and backfire: it may expose the child to retaliation, relocation to a more dangerous place, or increased pressure on their family. Therefore, the best course of action is usually to remain calm, assess the risk, gather the minimum necessary information, always prioritize the child’s protection and safety, and balance this with reporting through channels that have the authority to intervene and refer to protection, education, and social support services (you will find a list of relevant contact details and emergency numbers at the end of this article).

Seven Practical and Safe Steps

This list outlines seven practical and safe steps to assess and handle the situation:

First – Assess the Risk: Immediate Danger = Emergency Now:

The situation should be considered urgent, and you must immediately contact the emergency numbers listed at the end of this section[MM1] [HA2] , if you notice one or more of the following:[MM3] [HA4]

1. Physical or verbal violence, direct threats, visible physical injury, harassment, or blackmail.
2. Exploitation of the child for sexual purposes.
3. Direct threats, detention, or prevention from leaving.
4. Working with dangerous machines/tools without protection, or exposure to chemicals, fire, or heavy dust.
5. Night work or in an environment that exposes the child to targeting.
6. Preventing the child from going to school or isolating them from their family.

Emergency Numbers:

• Civil Ambulance: 110.
• Police Emergency: 112.
• Fire Department: 113.
• Red Crescent Ambulance: 133.

In these cases, do not wait or try to intervene yourself—report immediately through the relevant emergency channels.

Second – Avoid Confrontation and Escalation with the Employer:

1. Do not expose or harm the child.
2. Do not post photos or names on social media.
3. Do not embarrass the child in front of the employer/customers, as this could lead to punishment, dismissal, or relocation.
4. Do not make promises you cannot keep (such as “I’ll get you out of here today”).

Third – Gather a “Minimum” of Information Calmly, Without Filming or Violating Privacy:

Focus on gathering the following information:

• Location: neighborhood/street/establishment name or nearby landmark.
• Time: date/time—is it a daily occurrence?
• Description: type of work and visible risks; does the child appear very young or adolescent?
• Signs of exploitation: long hours, night work, no breaks, violence or threats, or work burden beyond their age.

Here is a quick report template you can use:

“At (location) on (..) at (..), I saw a child working in (type of work). Visible risks: (machine/materials/long hours/night work..). I do not know their identity. I request guidance/intervention to protect the child without exposing them to harm.”

Fourth – Only Communicate with the Child If It Is Safe, Using General and Supportive Questions:

Speak to the child only if it is safe (and away from direct supervision). Use simple, non-blaming language, and stick to general questions such as: “Are you okay? Do you need help?” Then briefly explain that you can refer the case to someone who can help, preferably with the child’s consent.[MM5] [HA6] 

If you notice fear or supervision, end the conversation immediately.

Fifth – Report Through Reliable Local Channels (Governmental/Legal/Trusted Organizations…):

Choose the most appropriate channel based on the risk level and situation. In cases of immediate danger, start with the emergency numbers above.

For consultation/referral and protection services:

• Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor: Phone [phone] | Email [e-mail]
• Ministry of Justice (Damascus): 6661260 – 6661270 – 6662469 (Contact information on the ministry website)
• Syrian Arab Red Crescent: [phone] | [e-mail]
• United Nations (UNICEF) Syria: [phone] | Helpline: [phone] | [e-mail].
• UNHCR Syria: [phone] | [e-mail] | Call Center: [phone].
• SOS Children’s Villages Syria: [phone] | [e-mail]

Sixth – Provide Support Without Harm:

If there is no immediate danger and it is safe to help, you can provide water/food or general guidance to services, but do not give large sums of money or enter into “deals” that may increase the child’s exploitation. The most important thing is to refer the family/child to protection, education, and livelihood support services.

Seventh – Follow Up on the Report Responsibly If the Situation Repeats, Without Exposing or Stigmatizing the Child.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Filming and posting on social media.
2. Direct confrontation with the employer or trying to “take the child” by force.
3. Making big promises or giving money that encourages exploitation.
4. Neglecting to follow up after reporting if the situation recurs.

In conclusion, the best thing you can do when you see a child working is to act safely and responsibly: do not expose or escalate, gather the minimum information, then report to a trusted and capable authority for intervention and referral.

Remember, every “small but correct” step can bring the child closer to protection and education instead of pushing them toward greater risks.

Important Reminder: Avoid sharing unnecessary photos, names, or identifying details, and focus only on the information needed for reporting.

Source List

• Ministry of Justice in Syria:
  • Syrian Constitution (2012).
  • Child Rights Law No. 21 of 2021.
  • Labor Law No. 17 of 2010.
  • General Penal Code.
• Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in Syria.
• International Labour Organization: National Study on the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Syrian Arab Republic.
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): The Situation of Children in Syria.
• UNHCR: Child Protection in Syria – Fact Sheet (1-6/2025).

UNHCR: Evaluation Report: Child Labor within the Framework of the Syrian Refugee Crisis Response.