Kayıt dışı işgücü piyasasının İstanbul'daki Suriyeli mülteci çocukların hayatları üzerindeki sonuçlarını anlamak

During the Syrian war, millions of refugees, including over 1.8 million children, fled to Türkiye in search of safety. Now, they face challenges as they try to rebuild their lives. Istanbul, as a major urban center, has the highest concentration of Syrian refugees, and consequently, many children in Istanbul face limitations on where they can live and work, making it difficult for them to secure formal education and employment. This often results in poverty and exploitation, with children having to work to support their families' survival. The essential aim of this study is to explore the experiences of Syrian children engaged in child labor in Türkiye, focusing on the factors leading to their involvement, the working conditions they face, and the impact on their well-being. To accomplish this goal, empirical data was gathered through semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in Istanbul with eight Syrian children (four boys and four girls). The study contends that because of early labor ages, restricted educational opportunities, long work hours, and a history of psychological distress linked to their experiences during the war before arriving in Turkey, Syrian children involved in child labor are particularly vulnerable to severe exploitation. Regretfully, they are now under even more strain due to child labor.