Iran Social Workers Warn of Rising Child Labor as Poverty Deepens

Worsening economic conditions in Iran are forcing families to send their children to work, according to the head of the country's Association of Social Workers. Hassan Mousavi Chalak warned that deepening poverty is driving a rise in child labor, exposing vulnerable children to exploitation, violence, and severe health risks.

Mousavi told Khabar Online that the trend reflects a broader deterioration in living standards, where economic hardship increasingly shapes family survival strategies. "We must accept that poverty in Iran has deepened," he said, adding that the more difficult the economic situation, the greater the reliance on children's labor to support family expenses.

He criticized efforts to downplay the problem, stressing that child labor extends far beyond visible street work. Children are employed in slaughterhouses, farms, agricultural fields, underground workshops, and industrial environments, often in unsafe and unregulated conditions. Mousavi noted the lack of reliable official statistics but warned the phenomenon is widespread, particularly in major cities and tourist destinations.

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We must accept that poverty in Iran has deepened.

The consequences for working children are severe, including deprivation of education and normal social development. They face malnutrition, skin and infectious diseases, gastrointestinal illnesses, substance abuse, violence, and exploitation. "Social comparisons are also harmful," Mousavi said. "When a child sees peers enjoying normal family life, they experience psychological pressure and emotional suffering."

Economic distress also increases the risk of abuse by those close to the children. While organized criminal networks may be involved in some cases, particularly with homeless children, not all are under such control. Many children are sent from poorer provinces to wealthier areas for work, and some without guardians are vulnerable to criminal exploitation or forced illegal activities. Recent reports highlight rising unemployment, inflation, and declining job opportunities intensifying pressure on households and fueling informal and child labor sectors.

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When a child sees peers enjoying normal family life, they experience psychological pressure and emotional suffering.