ALEPPO — Children in opposition areas in northwest Syria are living in dire conditions. Not only are they denied their basic rights, but they are also deprived of any chance to realize their smallest dreams. This is especially the case for children living in displacement camps and who are deprived of education, playtime, medical treatment, and other basic rights and services.

Child labor has become common in Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The issue is being exacerbated because of the exorbitant cost of living in the region, which is forcing children to leave school to join the labor market.

The problem not only threatens children’s futures but also the futures of generations to follow due to the long-term problems that will ensue. The children are performing low-paid, difficult jobs such as sheep herding, car and motorcycle repair, construction, blacksmithing, carpentry and other arduous tasks.

These working children receive low wages since Idlib's labor market sees them as still at the nascent stage of learning the profession. The daily wage of a child does not exceed 10 Turkish liras (around 90 cents). This amount can buy a family of five only four bundles of bread.