Imipact of the Syrian crisis and migration on the agricultural labor force sector in Syria and Türkiye

This research was conducted to understand the labor force in both Northwest Syria and Türkiye before and after the Syrian crisis. Data were collected through 432 surveys carried out during June and July 2023 with agricultural and livestock workers. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. The results of this study revealed that conflict and insecurity in northwestern Syria are the primary drivers for Syrian agricultural laborers seeking refuge in Türkiye. Syrian laborers are attracted to Türkiye due to robust security conditions, a well-established agricultural sector, and job opportunities in agriculture and livestock. Daily wages in Türkiye are significantly higher than in Syria, both before and after the crisis. Workers who faced insufficient daily wages employed various strategies to supplement their income. Laborers in agriculture and livestock encountered challenges, including seasonality, unsustainability, and low wages before and after the crisis. In Türkiye, additional challenges included difficulties in traveling outside the region. In Syria, support mechanisms included public transportation and cooperative organization but had a limited impact on daily wages. In Türkiye, a substantial majority did not receive any support. Support mechanisms were insufficient in addressing low daily wages in both countries. Syrian agricultural laborers in Türkiye contributed to higher agricultural production and exports. They do not require work permits, making their employment more accessible. NGOs implemented agricultural and livestock projects in both Syria and Türkiye, providing job opportunities. Women had job opportunities in agriculture and livestock in both Syria and Türkiye, with variations in activities. Keywords: Syria, Türkiye, Migration, Agriculture, Labor.