Seasonal agricultural workers and child laborers living in hilvan

Agriculture begins with settlement. After the settled life, it has become one of the most important economic activities of humanity. Today, most of the people engaged in agriculture benefit from seasonal agricultural workers. The main reason for seasonal agricultural work is the limited job opportunities and economic difficulties that are necessary for families to make a living in the places where they live. They have migrated for various reasons since the word was founded. While these were for reasons such as security, life and finding food in the early days, they started to migrate later for reasons such as work, health, natural disaster and better life. Migration continues today for various reasons. In this study, it has been tried to determine the problems experienced by seasonal agricultural workers living in the Hilvan district of Şanlıurfa and to develop solutions. Among the aims of the study are to reveal the current situation of child labor in Hilvan, to identify the problems experienced by children and to offer solutions to prevent child labor. In the study, a survey was conducted with a total of 200 people, 70 of whom were adult agricultural workers and 130 of whom were child workers, in 2022, the sample of which was chosen randomly. The survey questions were prepared to determine the socio-economic status of seasonal agricultural workers and child workers, to reveal their working conditions and conditions, and to identify the problems they experience. The survey results were analyzed item by item, and the percentage values were given and mapped. According to the data obtained as a result of the research, it is seen that the wages of seasonal agricultural workers are very low and they work below the hunger limit, and more than half of the seasonal agricultural workers do not have any health insurance. It has been observed that most of the agricultural workers work more than 12 hours a day and they do not get paid for their labor. It was observed that the shelters they stayed in were not clean and they had problems with toilet and bathroom. It has been observed that families cannot eat adequately and balancedly, and the tents they stay in are not very suitable places to store and cook food. According to the findings of the research, the majority of children participating in seasonal agriculture are 7th grade students between the ages of 11-12. This study showed that the majority of children working in seasonal agriculture could not go to school for 3-4 months during the year. The success of the children who are away from their education is also affected and they move away from school. Children help their families in the fields from a very young age, work and grow in the fields. Working in heavy jobs disrupts children's development in every aspect. As a result of the study, the problems experienced by seasonal agricultural workers were stated and solutions were offered to these problems. In addition, by stating the working conditions of child workers and the difficulties they face, solutions were offered on how to prevent child labor and how to improve children who are away from their education.