The International Labor Organization emphasized the need for urgent support for Syria and Turkey in enhancing livelihoods to prevent sliding into poverty and increasing child labor following the devastating earthquakes that struck parts of the countries last month. Preliminary results from the organization's assessment report on the earthquake's impact on the labor market showed that hundreds of thousands of workers in both countries lost their sources of income due to this disaster.
The organization’s Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, stated that enhancing job opportunities is essential for a successful and inclusive response to the earthquake. He said, "People can begin to rebuild their lives if they rebuild their livelihoods. We owe it to those who have lost so much due to the earthquake to ensure that the principles of social justice and decent work are integrated into the recovery and rebuilding process."
The organization warned of the increasing risks to occupational safety and health and child labor. Affected workers in Turkey face an estimated monthly income loss averaging over $230.
