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Child Labour in Iran
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Child labour is generally the product of a society’s dysfunctional and unfair socio-economic structure. Child labourers come from environments where there is economic poverty, neglect or a lack of guardianship due to a variety of circumstances including parental addiction, illness or disability, imprisonment, death, divorce or other problems that necessitate children working for the livelihood and survival of themselves and their families.Early entry to the work environment through family members, gangs or exploitative groups exposes child labourers to various forms of exploitation, abuse, violence and misconduct that will affect the rest of their lives. Child labour is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and the circumstances such as poverty, eduction, parents substance and drug misuse, mental health … can contribute to their vulnerability. Children born in such situations may face additional challenges due to the social stigma and potential instability within their family environment. Unlawful or irresponsible parents may neglect their responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children, increasing the likelihood of exploitation and involvement in child labour. Child labourers are usually employed in three different areas: workshops, street work and scavenging.According to the Research Center of Iran University of Medical Sciences, in 2016, 46% of child labourers in Iran were Iranians and 53% were Afghans. The census of 2020 indicates that 62.5% of child labourers are Iranian and 37.5% are migrant children.In Kameel Ahmady and his team’s study Traces of Exploitation in Childhood: A Comprehensive Research on Forms, Causes and Consequences of Child Labour in Iran, various causes of child labour are investigated alongside the variables of gender, ethnicity and age in 22 types of child labour.Using Grounded Theory (‘GT’), this study analyses various forms of child labour, including street work and street vending, scavenging, domestic tasks and work on production lines and in the family home, brickworks, car washes, stores and underground workshops.The hazards of child labour are a major concern of the study. Depending on the type of work, the work conditions and certain other factors, different harms can result from child labour. A number of articles have been extracted from the study and published in journals. Child labourers are usually employed in three different areas: workshops, street work and scavenging.According to the Research Center of Iran University of Medical Sciences, in 2016, 46% of child labourers in Iran were Iranians and 53% were Afghans. The census of 2020 indicates that 62.5% of child labourers are Iranian and 37.5% are migrant children.In Kameel Ahmady and his team’s study Traces of Exploitation in Childhood: A Comprehensive Research on Forms, Causes and Consequences of Child Labour in Iran, various causes of child labour are investigated alongside the variables of gender, ethnicity and age in 22 types of child labour.Using Grounded Theory (‘GT’), this study analyses various forms of child labour, including street work and street vending, scavenging, domestic tasks and work on production lines and in the family home, brickworks, car washes, stores and underground workshops.The hazards of child labour are a major concern of the study. Depending on the type of work, the work conditions and certain other factors, different harms can result from child labour. A number of articles have been extracted from the study and published in journals. The 2018 report of the International Labour Organization (the ‘ILO’) estimates that 218 million children are working globally, of which 150 million are victims of child labour and nearly 73 million have hazardous or harmful jobs. That means nearly one in ten children are child labourers, worldwide!These numbers demonstrate that, despite the need for special attention to be given to the problem in economically disadvantaged countries, eliminating child labour is not possible by focusing solely on these nations.According to the findings of Kameel Ahmady’s research, as well as other reported statistics, there are more than one million child labourers in Iran, but because of political and ideological considerations, there are little accurate and convincing data available. Some statistics suggest that about 20,000 working children live in Tehran, 4,000 of whom are scavenger children. The exploitation of child labor and the informal labor market are two major topics of Ahmady’s study. The development gap, tension and conflict in Afghanistan, poverty and unemployment in the family, abandonment by/absence of a protector, and interest in work are among the formative factors of child labour that were discovered by the team.Another noteworthy aspect of this research is that it attempts to examine and study child labour from the perspectives of all major players, including employers, activists and experts in the field of childhood, as well as government officials (such as the police, the municipality and welfare organisations).Because the study focuses on forms of work in the capital city of Tehran and its suburbs, its findings are applicable throughout Iran, particularly to other urban centres.
In other words, children, who carry large shares of social capital and will develop the future of society, are exposed to psychological, physical and sexual harm because of the incompetence of authorities, damaging economic policies and a lack of necessary protections.Child labour is defined in two ways – the type of work and the minimum age for that work.Child labour occurs when a child is engaged in a type of work that disrupts his or her normal growth or that, in accordance with international standards, is not suitable or is harmful for a child of that age.In modern-day society, child labour is a problem in many regions and cultures and has complex causes and origins.
Causes of child labour in iran
Some Child Labor Statistics in Iran
Report on Child Labour in Iran
The Exploitation of Working Children
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Articles
Traces of Childhood Exploitation- A Comprehensive Study on the Forms of Child Labour in Iran
Gender differences in child labour- A systematic review of causes, forms, features and consequences
Traces of Childhood Exploitation A Comprehensive Study on the Forms, Causes and Consequences of Child Labour – Conferences Presentation
Background and consequences of scavenging: A study on child scavenging in Tehran and its suburbs
Gender differences in child labour: A systematic review of causes, forms, features and consequences
A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Child Labour in Iran – Conferences Presentation
Violation: Child Labour Rights in Iran – Analysis and Solutions (Conferences Presentation)
Exploitation and Exclusion A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Child Labour in Iran
Traces of Exploitation in Childhood
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Introduction
Kameel Ahmady is a British-Iranian researcher working in the field of social anthropology, with a particular focus on gender, children, ethnic minorities, and child labour. Kameel was born in Iranian Kurdistan (also known as East Kurdistan). He obtained his Master’s degree in Social Anthropology and Visual Ethnography from the University of Kent, UK. His academic pursuits include specialized courses in Middle Eastern Politics and Research Methods from other British institutions. Known for studying harmful traditions, Ahmady serves as both a supervisor and developer for his teamwork research publications in Farsi, Kurdish, and English. In 2017, he was honoured with “Honour” prize by the UK based IKWRO organization at the University of Law in London. Subsequently, in 2018, at George Washington University, Global P.E.A.C.E. foundation bestowed upon him the “Literature and Humanities” award in recognition of his contributions to the field. Among his group works are titles such as ” Conformity and Resistance in Mahabad,” ” Another Look at East and Southeast of Turkey,” “In the Name of Tradition,” “A House on Water,” “The Echo of Silence,” ” Traces of Exploitation in Childhood,” and more….
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FAQ About Child Labour
- Who is the working child? In sociological discussions, the term ‘working child’ refers to a child who is compelled to work at a challenging job for an extended period because of their family’s financial need, the addiction of a parent or protector, or the absence of a head of household.
- What are the working child’s characteristics? The working child is usually living without the protection and care of parents and social institutions, in the most difficult conditions, and is vulnerable to various types of violence and abuse by employers, peers and the adults around them. They are usually deprived of proper nutrition, physical and mental health, and formal and institutional education.
- What are the causes of child labour in Iran? The dysfunctional and unfair socio-economic structure of a society is typically the cause of child labour. Parental addiction, illness or disability, imprisonment, death and divorce, and other family conditions may mean that children must work inhumane jobs to support themselves and their families. Child labourers are commonly neglected or left without caretakers. They are exposed to various forms of exploitation and abuse through early entry to society from family members, gangs, or groups that systematically exploit people. They also suffer from violence and damaging behaviours that negatively affect their futures. Therefore, because of the incompetence of authorities, problematic economic policies and a lack of necessary protections, children are exposed to various forms of psychological, physical and sexual harm.
- What are the statistics, and how many children in Iran are considered scavengers? Even though there are more than a million working children in Iran, no precise and convincing data exist in this regard due to political and ideological sensitivities. According to some statistics, Tehran is home to 20,000 working children, 4,000 of whom are scavenger children.
- Are there legal definitions of child labour? The ILO defines ‘child labour’ as economic activities that have the potential to negatively impact children’s physical, mental, moral or social health as well as their abilities to learn. These situations include when children are compelled to drop out of school, fail to enrol from the start due to financial or cultural hardship, or are required to work and study for long periods each day. All of these situations involve violations of a child’s fundamental rights, including the right to play, the right to an education and the right to a free education. As a result, anyone under the age of 18 who is in these situations will fall under the definition of ‘child labourer’.
What are the key international conventions and agreements in place to combat child labor, and how effective have these measures been in different regions?
The international community, through organizations like the ILO, has made efforts to combat child labor by setting standards and conventions to protect children’s rights.
Eliminating child labor requires a multi-faceted approach involving government policies, corporate responsibility, and public awareness to ensure that children are protected from exploitation and have the chance to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
How can businesses and consumers contribute to the eradication of child labor by promoting ethical supply chains and supporting products that are certified as child-labor-free?
Child labor remains a global challenge, as millions of children around the world are forced into work that is harmful to their physical and mental development.