Iran Social Workers Warn of Rising Child Labor as Poverty Deepens (opens original article in a new tab)

Iranian social workers warn that deepening poverty is increasing child labor, exposing children to exploitation, health risks, and psychological harm, with the problem expanding beyond visible street work to include various unsafe environments.

• Iran's Association of Social Workers warns of rising child labor due to worsening economic conditions
• Child labor is expanding beyond visible street work to include slaughterhouses, farms, and industrial environments
• No reliable official statistics exist, but the phenomenon is increasingly widespread in major cities and tourist areas
• Economic hardship leads to children being deprived of education and exposed to health risks, violence, and exploitation
• Experts warn that without stronger economic safeguards, the trend could worsen, increasing risks for children