Combating Child Labor in Syria – Andak Khabar

A brief awareness guide according to Syrian laws, international standards, and available services.

To learn how to act when witnessing a case of child labor in Syria, please read the guidance article through the link here (article link).

Why this guide?

By child labor in Syria, we mean any work that harms the child's health, education, security, or safety, or exposes them to exploitation, especially during economic and humanitarian crises when risks increase. This guide explains the meaning of child labor in simple terms, reviews the main laws that protect children in Syria, and offers practical and safe steps to report concerns and seek help. It also highlights the important roles families, schools, and employers play in preventing exploitation.

Key Messages:

Child labor is not "any work"; it is work that harms the child's health, development, or safety, deprives them of education, or exposes them to exploitation.
Syrian law prohibits employing children under the age of 15, emphasizes preventing economic exploitation and forced labor, and restricts employing adolescents in hazardous work.
Child safety comes first: random action, escalation, and improper reporting may expose the child to harm or retaliation.
Effective solutions combine ending exploitation, supporting the family, and returning the child to education or safe vocational training.

What is meant by child labor?

Child labor refers to work that deprives the child of their childhood, dignity, and potential, exposes them to physical or psychological harm, or hinders their education. It includes the "worst forms of child labor" such as forced labor, exploitation, illegal activities, or work that threatens health and safety.

Why is child labor prohibited?

Physically:
A child's body is still developing; hard or repetitive work can cause muscular injuries and chronic fatigue.
Children are more prone to injuries in unsafe work environments or when using dangerous tools/machines.
Exposure to pollutants, chemicals, or dust can cause chronic respiratory or skin diseases.
Psychologically and socially:
Early work is linked to school dropout and poor academic performance, thus limiting the child's future opportunities.
Working children are more vulnerable to economic exploitation, violence, and psychological pressure.
Normalizing child labor perpetuates poverty and weakens the environment for decent work.

Combating child labor in the Syrian constitution and law:

In the Syrian Constitution:

Article 20 states that the state guarantees the protection of childhood and provides free and compulsory education at the basic stages.

In Syrian law:

Child Rights Law - Law No. 21 of 2021:
Prohibits the economic exploitation of children or forcing them to work that endangers their health, development, or education.
Prohibits employing children under the age of 15 and bans forced labor.
Syrian Labor Law - Law No. 17 of 2010:
Regulates the employment of "juveniles" who have reached the legal age and sets restrictions on working hours, night work, and rest periods.
Requires regulations related to occupational safety and health and medical examinations.
Supporting laws:
The General Penal Code includes criminal provisions to protect children, as well as specific provisions on involving children in combat activities.
Legislative Decree No. 3 of 2010 (Prevention and Combating Human Trafficking) gives special attention to children as victims and criminalizes forms of exploitation.

Prohibitions and Permissible Actions:

Absolutely prohibited: Employing a child under the age of 15, any work that exposes the child to danger or prevents them from education, forced/exploitative labor, or illegal activities.

Strictly prohibited: Employing those under 18 in hazardous work or environments that threaten health and safety.

Permitted with conditions: Vocational training/light work appropriate to age for those above the legal age, provided it does not hinder education, is not dangerous, and with adherence to health regulations and working hours.

What should you do if you witness a case of child labor? (Practical and safe steps)

Immediately assess the child's safety: If the child is in direct danger (violence/injury/detention/dangerous machinery), seek immediate help from the relevant authorities/emergency services.
Avoid direct confrontation with the exploiter, as this may increase the risk to the child. Stay calm and avoid escalation.
Gather general information without violating the child's privacy: workplace, type of work, working hours, estimated age, name of the establishment if possible.
Communicate with the child only if it is safe, using supportive and brief questions without an interrogative tone or promises. If you feel the child is being watched or is afraid, stop the conversation immediately.
Report to the Directorates of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in your governorate, or to the relevant law enforcement authorities, depending on the nature of the case.
Support without harm, by providing simple humanitarian assistance if needed (water/food) without large sums of money or deals that encourage exploitation.
Follow up responsibly: repeat the report if the situation recurs, but without stigmatizing or pursuing the child or family.

What should you do in this case if you are an employer?

Verify age through official documents before employment, and do not employ those under the legal age.
Do not assign adolescents to hazardous work, long hours, or night work, and ensure occupational safety and health conditions.
Monitor your supply chains and require contractual clauses that prohibit child labor.
Ensure that no work interferes with the child's right to education, and cooperate with labor inspectors during monitoring.

What is the role of the family, school, and community?

Family: Seek social/livelihood support when needed, encourage continued education or safe training, and watch for signs of exhaustion and violence.
School: Monitor for dropout and signs of work, refer cases to counselors/protection services.
Community: Do not normalize the phenomenon, support initiatives to return children to school, and empower families economically.

Special cases requiring attention

The informal sector (street/small workshops/agriculture): Higher likelihood of lack of oversight; therefore, reporting and referral are especially important.
Displaced or returning children: Risks may increase due to loss of income or interruption of education; therefore, child protection and case management services are essential.
Children without documents: Lack of documents can hinder access to some services; humanitarian agencies/social partners often help with referrals and possible procedures.

Tips and Guidelines

Do not publish children's photos or names on social media, to protect privacy and prevent stigma.
Talk to the child in a supportive and non-blaming language, focusing on safety and available options.
If possible, connect the family with support services (education, psychosocial support, livelihoods) to reduce reliance on the child's income.

And always remember: Combating child labor is not just an individual decision; it is a comprehensive protection system: the law deters, the relevant institutions refer, the community rejects exploitation, and employers commit to decent work. When we choose safe and responsible action, we bring the child closer to school and protection instead of pushing them toward greater risks.

List of sources:

Disclaimer: This material is for general awareness and is not legal advice. If you have a specific case, we advise you to consult the relevant official authorities or seek a lawyer.