Kirkuki children work even on International Children’s Day
2021-06-02
June 1st marks Children’s Day worldwide yet Kirkuk children are still seen on the street vending without any knowledge about their international day.
Kirkuk June 1st, 2021: A boy selling candy cotton in Kirkuk Bazaar on International Children’s Day. Photo by Karwan Salihi.My Name is Azooz Izzedine & I am 15. Every day I come at 8 am to Salaheddin Street (Khan Khurma, Dates Sarai) carrying stuff from a place to another by the carrier making 6,000 IQD ($4) a day.My name is Hussein Subhi, 11. I attend class 3. We are IDPs from Daquq. By collecting garbage in Khabat bridge abouts, I make 5,000IQD ($3.5) a day.I am Arhan Adel, 12, in class 5. During the holidays and free time, I give my father a hand selling grocery on Khabat Bridge. In return, he pays me IQD5,000 ($3.5) a day.Per Iraqi labor law, the minimum age of employment is 15-year-old, beside other restrictions. Violators face legal consequences.