Iranian Expert Warns Of Worsening Child Labor

The CEO of the Association for the Support of Children has raised alarm over the deteriorating conditions for working children in Iran.

Noting that observations on the streets indicate a worsening situation, Tahereh Pazhouhesh emphasized that the age of child labor in Iran has now reached as low as seven years.

In a recent interview with Faraz Daily, she expressed concern that all activities related to child labor are being carried out in a negligent manner without proper supervision.

Criticizing the lack of expertise and awareness among city officials regarding children, she highlighted that, "Until specific budgetary resources are allocated for children, no changes will occur in the conditions of child labor."

In centers previously under the supervision of the Welfare Organization, Pazhouhesh disclosed that they used to care for child laborers. However, due to insufficient capacity, the government was ultimately compelled to release the children after just one week.

Meanwhile, Alireza Zakani, the Mayor of Tehran, asserted on Saturday that issues related to drug addiction and child labor would be resolved by the end of the Iranian year (March 20).

Zakani claimed that a special plan would be implemented to ensure that the face of Tehran is "completely clean" of the challenges posed by drug addiction and child labor before the Persian New Year, Nowruz.

However, Zakani's statements have triggered a wave of negative reactions from activists and social media users. Activists pointed out that child laborers are exposed to harassment and sexual abuse. Some social media users also attributed the growth of child labor, drug addiction, and homelessness to the policies of the Islamic Republic over the past four decades.