Syrian refugees work in fields of central Anatolia to earn a living
Refugees who fled Syria and took refuge in Turkey are earning their livelihood by working in the fields of the central Anatolian Niğde province.
A total of 350 seasonal working refugees, including 200 children, came to Niğde from the eastern and southeastern provinces six months ago to work in the fields. They live in the tents they set up near the field and try to make a living. The refugees, who start work at first light of day, plant and harvest sugar beet, bean and corn. A Syrian family with 10 children is also among the seasonal work force trying to forget the traumas of the civil war in Syria, which has been ongoing for the last five years. Hüseyin Elrideyni, 44, took refuge in Turkey with his wife Recve Elderviş, 42, and their 10 children. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Elrideyni said that they were forced to flee from their home due to the civil war and lack of food. Stating that they earn their living by working in the fields, Elrideyni thanked the government saying, "We are grateful to Turkey for opening their arms to us." He said their children also work with them on the field to contribute to the family income, adding that all they are trying to do is stand on their feet. Eleven-year-old Muhammad, who works alongside his father, says he goes to the field early in the morning and works for eight hours a day in the beet, corn and bean fields. Muhammad says that he takes care of his siblings and helps his mother when they return to their tent after a hard day of work. Stating that he misses Syria, especially his friends and grandmother who he had to leave behind in Syria, Muhammad said: "If I was in Syria, I would be able to go to my school and be with my friends. I want to be an engineer. I want to work in Turkey and save some money to spend all of it in Syria if we can go back to our homeland. I really want to go back to Syria. I miss my friends Ali and Aziz and also my grandmother who are still in Syria. I am very sad to leave them back home."
Mehmet Kuş, who is responsible for the seasonal workers working in Niğde, stated that life is very hard for Syrians. Kuş said that seasonal workers have to work hard for little money. "They are working in the fields because they need money to spend in winter. They are working with their children to earn enough money to keep them fed and sheltered."
A total of 350 seasonal working refugees, including 200 children, came to Niğde from the eastern and southeastern provinces six months ago to work in the fields. They live in the tents they set up near the field and try to make a living. The refugees, who start work at first light of day, plant and harvest sugar beet, bean and corn. A Syrian family with 10 children is also among the seasonal work force trying to forget the traumas of the civil war in Syria, which has been ongoing for the last five years. Hüseyin Elrideyni, 44, took refuge in Turkey with his wife Recve Elderviş, 42, and their 10 children. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Elrideyni said that they were forced to flee from their home due to the civil war and lack of food. Stating that they earn their living by working in the fields, Elrideyni thanked the government saying, "We are grateful to Turkey for opening their arms to us." He said their children also work with them on the field to contribute to the family income, adding that all they are trying to do is stand on their feet. Eleven-year-old Muhammad, who works alongside his father, says he goes to the field early in the morning and works for eight hours a day in the beet, corn and bean fields. Muhammad says that he takes care of his siblings and helps his mother when they return to their tent after a hard day of work. Stating that he misses Syria, especially his friends and grandmother who he had to leave behind in Syria, Muhammad said: "If I was in Syria, I would be able to go to my school and be with my friends. I want to be an engineer. I want to work in Turkey and save some money to spend all of it in Syria if we can go back to our homeland. I really want to go back to Syria. I miss my friends Ali and Aziz and also my grandmother who are still in Syria. I am very sad to leave them back home."
Mehmet Kuş, who is responsible for the seasonal workers working in Niğde, stated that life is very hard for Syrians. Kuş said that seasonal workers have to work hard for little money. "They are working in the fields because they need money to spend in winter. They are working with their children to earn enough money to keep them fed and sheltered."