#foto-serie-test

[testvm]

Gaziantep has an district where the refugee population is dense. Syrians over there try to survive by making sandals, sneakers, loafers and pumps. One glance on this city will not grand you much, however as soon as you go through the iron doors, you will hear the rattling of sewing machines. Children no older than seven years are sewing inner soles or sticking labels in ladies shoes.

Letting the children work is accepted as necessary by the employers, the minors themselves and their parents. These children have no opportunities. Rent is going up every six months and there are mouths to feed. Their abominable living conditions make Syrian children easy targets for recruiters. According to UNICEF, younger Syrians are recruited for the armed struggle, lured by gifts and 'wages' of €350 a month.

I visited seven factories in the textile and shoe industry and photographed those working Syrian children during their work.