STORY: Iraq struggles to curb child labor after decades of wars, conflicts
SHOOTING TIME: June 11, 2024
DATELINE: June 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:20
LOCATION: Baghdad
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sajjad working in the blacksmith workshop in Baghdad
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAJJAD, Iraqi child
3. various of Sajjad working in the blacksmith workshop in Baghdad
4. various of children working in markets in Baghdad
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED FAHIM, Lawyer

STORYLINE:

The 2024 World Day Against Child Labor falls on Wednesday. The Iraqi government has struggled to curb the proliferation of child labor as thousands of poor families have been forced to send their children to work due to grim financial situations.

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 shattered the local political order and social stability and caused serious political, economic and social unrest.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAJJAD, Iraqi child
"My name is Sajjad. I am 14 years old. I am in the second grade of an intermediate school. I work to support my family because our financial situation is difficult.
I work to help my father because my father cannot work due to illness and also to support my family with daily expenses.
I hope that the children of Iraq live in peace and security so that they do not have to work when they are young."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED FAHIM, Lawyer
"The American occupation has led to calamities in Iraqi society, including the absence of the rule of law and the state prestige, which has led some people to exploit children and throw them into labor fields.
The Iraqi law prohibits child labor under the legal age of 15 and punishes anyone who violates this law with imprisonment or a fine."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Baghdad.
(XHTV)