On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, which falls on Friday, June 12, 2026, the Syrian Future Movement issues this statement expressing its fundamental commitment to protecting childhood and building a sustainable future for Syria and its regional and international environment:
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this day, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002, represents an annual global moment of conscience to mobilize efforts against the exploitation of children and to advocate for guaranteeing their fundamental right to education, play, and healthy and safe development. The Syrian Future Movement also notes that the values promoted by this day revolve around social justice, human dignity, equal opportunities, and the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour, such as hazardous work, slavery, and slavery-like practices, in accordance with International Labour Convention No. 182.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its deep concern regarding the statistics issued by the International Labour Organization and UNICEF, which indicate that approximately 160 million children worldwide remain engaged in the labour market, with these numbers increasing sharply in conflict and war zones due to poverty and displacement. Regarding school enrollment, we draw national attention to the unique Syrian context of this issue, emphasizing the fundamental and crucial difference between imparting manual skills and trades to children as part of Syria’s rich social heritage during school holidays, under family supervision that protects and refines their skills, and forcibly “throwing children into the labor market,” completely depriving them of their childhood and forcing them to drop out of school.
The Syrian Future Movement adopts a comprehensive humanitarian vision with a purely national depth, viewing the Syrian child as the country’s true remaining wealth and the cornerstone upon which the revival of society and overcoming the effects of the long years of war will be built. The Syrian Future Movement also believes that the current transitional phase requires a forward-looking approach focused on restructuring the educational system, rehabilitating schools, and activating national laws that criminalize forced child labor, in parallel with providing economic support and empowerment to the poorest families to prevent them from having to send their children to dangerous work environments.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on all human rights organizations, educational institutions, international bodies, and Syrian civil society organizations to join forces and work together to develop urgent national strategies to save the current generation and ensure their return to classrooms to build a free and prosperous future Syria.
