Child labor in Şereflikoçhisar, Turkey: Children and young people, including those of primary school, high school, and university age, work in harsh conditions in the onion fields. They start working at 6 in the morning. Many of them express hopelessness about their future. Ahmet Alabaş, a father whose children work in the fields, mentions that he could only send one of his daughters to school, but she ended up working with him in the fields. Gurbet Alabaş, another worker, studied at a university but cannot practice his profession due to the difficult circumstances. Zeynep Körpe, a mother of 10 children, emphasizes the challenges of making a living and supporting her family. Ali Körpe, another agricultural worker, states that his children are not studying and they have lost expectations from Turkey’s situation. Mesul Körpe, a 20-year-old who left school, expresses regret about not having the opportunity to study. Gurbet Alabaş, who graduated from university, is currently unemployed and works in the fields for a low wage. Melen Sercan, a 17-year-old, mentions coming from Urfa to work and plans to work in apricots and hazelnuts in the future.
ESG Risks: Child labor, inadequate access to education, poor working conditions, low wages, lack of job opportunities, income inequality, poverty.
Companies mentioned: No specific companies are mentioned in the article.
Keywords: Child labor, harsh conditions, seasonal agricultural workers, hopelessness, education, university, low wages, financial difficulties, unemployment, working in the fields, poverty.
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