Baseline Assessment of Child Labour among Syrian Refugees in Za’atari Refugee Camp – Jordan

The Syrian crisis continues to deteriorate, leading to significant numbers of refugees in neighboring countries as well as great human tragedy within Syria itself. According to UNICEF, over 630,000 Syrian refugees are registered in Jordan as of 2014. One striking social phenomenon that has emerged not only in Jordan but in all countries hosting Syrian refugees is that of child labour.

The Jordan Country Office of Save the Children International (SCI) and UNICEF Jordan carried out a detailed survey on the very visible phenomenon of child labour in Za’atari refugee in mid-2014. The sample covered 518 households and children, aged 7 to 17. The survey, in addition to topics such as access to education, looked closely at the issue of family income as a key factor in instances of child labour.

Child labour is a violation of children’s fundamental rights and deprives them of their normal childhood development. In its worst forms, which are also prevalent in Za’atari camp, they endanger the physical, mental and emotional health and even the lives of children.

Recommendations are provided for short, medium, and long-term needs and are highly detailed and specific according to the needs revealed from the survey.