'I Don't Have Time to Play Games': Agricultural Child Workers Speak Out

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Ayşe, a 14-year-old agricultural worker, says she has not gone to school after sixth grade.

"I work in the field for eight hours. We take a break twice and go back home at half-past five. I do housework after coming back from the field, we do cooking, laundry, dishes..."

Leyla (11) says she doesn't have any time to play games: "My days are very boring. We wake up at six o'clock, we have our breakfast, go to the field at seven. The field is just across the tent, we walk for about 10 or 15 minutes. I am bored stiff here. I can't play games with my friends. We don't have any time to play games."

Yusuf (13) works at a field in Viranşehir, Urfa, in southeastern Turkey. "After the work is done here, we'll go to Manisa; we'll collect plums and cherries. I study at night, read books in my spare time. I like foreign stories. When we come back to the tent, my aunt usually does the housework. And I chop wood, bring water for them," he says.

On the occasion of June 12, World Day Against Child Labor, the Support to Life Association interviewed six child agricultural workers in Adana, Konya and Urfa.

The epidemic and child labor

"The Covid-19 outbreak increased the risk of child labor even more. Some of the families who suffered financial difficulties due to the outbreak have started to make their children work," the association asaid in a statement.

"Families who migrate for seasonal agriculture began their journey in April, earlier than normal, after schools were closed and distance education began as part of the measures against the outbreak.

"Children of families who live in rural areas or seasonal or settled agriculture areas but do not have internet access were not able to continue distance education.

"Let's don't accept any kind of child labor. When we see children employed, let's notify relevant public agencies. Let's protect our children together. It's in our hands that children can live their childhood, attend school and don't be child workers.

"Let's don't ignore, don't accept this. Let's take action and end child labor together." (AÖ/VK)