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Child Labour on Tobacco Plantations in Lebanon
International Labour Organization
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)
CONTENTS
I Content,
Scope and Methodology
I.1 Background and Scope of the Study
I.2
Methodology
I.2.1 Research and Data Collection Tools
I.2.2 Key Locations
I.2.3 Working Children Questionnaires
II Background
II.1 Tobacco Cultivation in Lebanon
II.2
Child Labor in Lebanon
II.2.1 The Lebanese
Population
II.2.2 Child Labor
III Child
Labor in Tobacco Cultivation
III.1 General Characteristics
III.1.1 Number
and Location of Working Children
III.1.2 Socio-Economic Characteristics of working Children
III.1.3 Access to Basic Social Services
III.1.4 Nature of Work
III.2
Conditions of Work
III.2.1 Working
Hours
III.2.2 Wages
III.2.3 Work Environment
III.3
Attitudes Towards Work
III.4
Socio-economic Characteristics of Families
III.5
General Village Situations
IV Conclusions
and Recommendations
IV.1 Conclusions
IV.2
Recommendations
Annex:
Village Reports
I Content, Scope and Methodology
I.1 Background and Scope of the Study
This study
of the International Labor Organization (ILO) was carried out by the Consultation
and Research Institute over a duration of two months (July to September
2000). The goal of the study, as specified by the ILO, is to assess the
working conditions of child labor in tobacco cultivation in Lebanon. The
study also aims at assessing the socio-economic conditions of working children
and their households in this type of occupation. It is envisaged that the
results of the study will assist policy makers to issue decisions to improve
the working conditions of these children.
The obligations of the Contractor were defined by the contract, to include
inter-alia:
- Background review, including background information on tobacco cultivation
in Lebanon, and available information on child labor in the country;
- Conducting Participatory Rapid Appraisal (RA) in five villages in
South Lebanon to collect baseline data on working children, including
location, work activities, socio-economic conditions, education level,
and wages, if any;
- Obtaining a notion of the working conditions of children in tobacco,
especially in relation risks and dangers, abuse, and working hours;
- Interviewing a sample of working children to look at the opinion of
children regarding their working conditions.
I.2
Methodology
This
study begins with an introductory chapter that defines its scope and the
methodology that was used to conduct it. As child labour is context and
sector specific, the second chapter provides a background review of tobacco
cultivation in the country and child labour in Lebanon. The third chapter
outlines the findings of the rapid appraisal related to child labour in
tobacco, as well as the socio-economic conditions of children and families
working in tobacco cultivation in South Lebanon.
This chapter also outlines the conditions of child labour in tobacco cultivation
and assesses the opinion of a number of children in this regard. Information
in this chapter is exclusively derived from the analysis of the results
obtained from the rapid assessment. The study concludes with a final section
on general conclusions and recommendations.
I.2.1
Research and Data Collection Tools
The
study adopted two complementary research tools in order to obtain the needed
information. In addition to the review of available documentation related
to the subject of the study, the study conducted a rapid assessment study
in five villages in South Lebanon.
Rapid Assessment is a research method that is intended to provide relevant
information by means of discussions, interviews, and direct observation
without employing scientific sampling, however seeking a compromise between
statistical precision and impressionistic data gathering. The findings of
this assessment usually pave the way for more intensive investigations in
the subject matter in question.
This type of assessment was used in the context of this study to generate
information on child labor in tobacco cultivation within selected localities.
It assisted in deriving an initial estimate of the incidence of child labor
in tobacco cultivation and a preliminary understanding of the social and
economic conditions of working children and their households. In addition,
the study identified the working conditions of children within this type
of occupation and informed the research on the characteristics of working
children and their families. The assessment also revealed the attitude of
working children towards this type of occupation.
Within the context of the assessment, three major tools of the rapid assessment
were used: semi structured questionnaires for interviewing working children,
direct observation to gain an idea of the conditions of work, and interviews
with community members, leaders, and key informants. Observations were used
as a means of identifying the working conditions of children in tobacco
cultivation. Researchers were instructed to observe children in work settings
for a duration lasting at least one hour, repeated at different times of
the day. Together with observation, direct interviewing formed a second
tool used in the context of this rapid assessment: a checklist was used
to interview community members and key informants within the communities.
Finally, 128 working children were interviewed using a simple short questionnaire
specifically to obtain information on the attitudes of children towards
their work in tobacco cultivation.
The steps undertaken in conducting the rapid assessment included the following:
- Preparation, including selecting the research teams and preparation
of the checklists;
- Collecting background information and selecting key locations;
- Conducting the research, which included observing working children,
interviewing children, and conducting interviews with key informants.
The study also included the data review and analysis through the tabulation
of observations and analysis of findings.
To close this section, it should be noted that the rapid appraisal methodology
has some limitations. One of the limitations of the rapid assessment is
the fact that its findings cannot necessarily be generalized to other populations
of working children in the country since it uses a small scale reality.
Thus, the rapid assessment methodology is more qualitative than quantitative
which means that its applicability is limited.
I.2.2
Key Locations
The
rapid assessment study comprised five key locations/villages in south
Lebanon distributed on four districts as follows:
- Zawtar el-Charkiyeh, Nabatiyeh Caza
- Deir Kifa, Tyre Caza
- Touline, Marjeyoun Caza
- Rmeish, Bint-Jbeil Caza
- Aitaroun, Bint-Jbeil Caza
The selection of villages took into consideration their geographic distribution
and the importance of tobacco cultivation within villages. Zawtar el-Charkiyeh
and Touline are located on the former border line between the free area
and the former occupied zone, whereas Rmeish and Aitaroun are among the
biggest villages in tobacco production with a high number of tobacco farmers.
I.2.3
Working Children Questionnaires
Within
the context of the study 128 working children in tobacco cultivation were
interviewed. The children were randomly selected from the key locations
within the villages where the rapid assessment was carried out. The following
are the characteristics of the sample interviewees:
- 48.4 percent of the interviewed children
are from Bint-Jbeil Caza, 25 percent from Marjeyoun, 17.2 percent from
Nabatiyeh, and 9.4 percent from Tyre.
- 25 percent of the interviewed children
are residents in the village of Touline, 25 percent from Rmeish, 23.4
percent from Aitaroun, 17.2 from Zawtar el-Charkiyeh, and 9.4 percent
from Deir Kifa.
- 49.2 percent of interviewees are males
whereas 50.8 percent are females.
II
Background
II.1 Tobacco Cultivation in Lebanon
Tobacco
is considered one of the major cultivated crops in Lebanon, coming fourth
to the production of citrus, banana, and olive trees in terms of cultivated
area. It is estimated that tobacco plantations started in Lebanon as early
as the 16th century.
Tobacco is an industrial crop and is technically a member of the Solanaceae
family and Tvicotina species that contains 70 species, two of which are
industrially important (Nicotina Rustical and Nicotina Tabacum). Tobacco
leaves are used for cigarettes, pipes and "narjileh". Tobacco seeds are
planted in seedling beds, after which they are transplanted to fields.
Tobacco species need sunlight (3-5 months), and the quality of tobacco
depends on the type of soil and climate. Tobacco leaves are processed
in factories; it is known that the first factory was constructed in Hammana
(Mount Lebanon), followed by another in Antelias (Kesserwan).
The Tobacco Administration, or the "Regie" as it is known, is a semi-autonomous
government agency that was formed in 1935 with the mandate to regulate
tobacco plantations in Lebanon and control import of tobacco into the
country. Since then, the size of tobacco cultivation, both in terms of
production and cultivated area, has increased drastically in the country
(for example the number of tobacco farmers increased from 7460 farmers
in 1936 to 32450 in 1964). Similarly, the number of villages with tobacco
cultivation quotas almost doubled between 1936 and 1964, increasing from
476 villages in 1936 to 781 in 19641.
Tobacco cultivation in Lebanon takes up more than 10,350 hectares, employs
approximately 29,800 farmers, and produces 11,000 tons per year2.
The economic circuit connected to tobacco cultivation includes 10,000
merchants who sell tobacco products, 1500 employees in the Tobacco Administration
and more than 1000 seasonal tobacco workers3.
It should be noted that tobacco cultivation declined during the second
half of the 1980s due to the military conflict and the associated population
displacement from southern Lebanon (the average tobacco output of Lebanon
did not exceed 750,000 kg in the 1980's compared to 9,250,000 in 1975)4.
On a regional basis, tobacco cultivation has declined over the past decades
in the Mount Lebanon region to become more concentrated in South Lebanon,
North Lebanon and the Bekaa which witnessed an increase in tobacco cultivation
between 1992-1997. The increase in tobacco cultivation is partly due to
the problems facing agricultural production in the country in general,
and more specifically due to the marketing problems faced by the production
of other agricultural crops. In comparison to other crops, tobacco is
considered a "secure selling" crop as the marketing of the produce is
secured by the Lebanese government. It is noted that tobacco cultivation
in southern Lebanon continued during the years of occupation, representing
a social safety net and a secure source of income for the families who
stayed in the region. Currently, farmers are not allowed to cultivate
more than four dunums as per the license provided by the government. Within
South Lebanon, cultivation is primarily concentrated in the central region,
especially in the Caza of Bint Jbeil, towards Marjeyoun and the higher
parts of Tyre district.
The government heavily subsidizes tobacco cultivation: over US$73.3 million
was paid by the Tobacco Administration for a purchase of 11,000 tons.
Forty-seven percent of this, or US$34.3 million, were a direct subsidy
(1997)5.
The annual cost of this support on the state budget reaches around US$20
million for southern Lebanon alone. The grant amount varies between regions:
25 percent in the Bekaa against 70 percent in South Lebanon.
The net yield of tobacco per hectare planted amounts to US$6,800. With
an average surface area per tobacco farmer equivalent to 0.377 hectare,
the net yearly income per tobacco exploitation is US$3,200. Depending
on the region, tobacco income constitutes 25 percent to 85 percent of
a family's income. It is noteworthy that the cultivation of one hectare
of tobacco requires 610 work days6.
II.2 Child Labor in Lebanon
II.2.1 The Lebanese
Population
The
total resident population of Lebanon is estimated at 4,005,000 (1997)
with population concentrations in Beirut and Beirut Suburbs (32.5 percent)7.
Mount Lebanon encompasses around 37.6 percent of the population, followed
by North Lebanon (20.1 percent) and the Bekaa (13.6 percent). Although
the average family size in Lebanon is 4.8, Lebanon still has a high percentage
of large families (11 percent of families have more than 8 members)8.
Although the Lebanese population is progressively aging due to lower fertility
rates, its age structure is youthful: 38.9 percent are below the age of
19 years, 51.2 percent are aged 20-59 years, and 9.9 percent are older
than 60 years. Urban areas, with low fertility rates and smaller families,
are observed to have a lower percentage of youth; the percentage of youth
(<19 years) in Beirut is 31.7 percent compared to 41.4 percent and 42.9
percent in the Bekaa and South Lebanon, respectively.
The total labour force is estimated at 1,362,000 persons, representing
34 percent of the total population (1997), of which 31.1 percent are actually
working and 2.9 percent are job seekers.
Overall, the highest activity rate is observed for the 25-44 year age
group. The female activity rate is lower than the male activity rate and
is estimated at 21.7 percent of the total labour force.
The percentage of the labour force to total population varies between
regions, from 30 percent in Nabatiyeh to around 40 percent in Beirut.
Unemployment is estimated to vary between 8.1 percent and 8.9 percent,
and is higher for males (9 percent) than for females (7.2 percent)9.
II.2.2 Child Labour
The nature of child labour in Lebanon varies depending on the type of
work, nature of duties, age, and rewards. Official figures indicate that
the activity rates for children aged 10-14 years is equivalent to 2.8
percent (5 percent for males and 0.4 percent for females). Similarly,
the activity rates for youth 15-19 years of age are estimated at 21.6
percent, and are lower for females (5.8 percent) compared to males (36.6
percent)10.
It is noted that the activity rate for working children (10-14 years)
has generally declined over the past two decades, where it was estimated
at 6.6 percent and 6.0 percent for males and females in 1970, respectively11.
Similarly, youth activity rates have declined from their pre-war level, where activity
rates for females and males aged 15-19 years were estimated at 15.8 percent
and 38 percent, respectively, in 197012.
National reports estimate the number of working children in tobacco (ages
7 - 14 years) to amount to 25 thousand children. These children work seasonally
as needed in the cultivation and processing of tobacco. It is also estimated
that 90 percent of these children are family workers, whereas only 10
percent are paid labourers13.
Official figures on child labour underestimate the actual size of the
phenomenon, especially because working children are usually active in
the informal parallel sector within non-declared enterprises. Hence, as
is the case in most countries, national figures fail to capture other
areas of child labour such as unpaid domestic work at home, seasonal employment,
and non-paid labour in agriculture. In Lebanon, it is estimated that the
more important portion of working children are seasonal workers in agriculture,
and are thus not recorded in official statistics.
Child labour is observed to be more prominent in remote, poorer regions
of the country, and is officially recorded to be higher in the Bekaa,
North and South Lebanon compared to Beirut. The case is similar for working
youth.
Other official statistics indicate that the Mohafazat of North Lebanon
encompasses more than 50 percent of working children aged 10-14 years,
followed by Mount Lebanon (17 percent), Bekaa (11 percent), South Lebanon
(9 percent) and Beirut (8 percent). The Cazas of Tripoli, Minyeh and Akkar
alone encompass 97 percent of working children in North Lebanon, whereas
Beirut Southern Suburbs encompass the highest percentage of working children
in the Mohafazat of Mount Lebanon. The same applies for the Cazas of Zahle
and Baalbeck in the Bekaa, where Baalbeck alone has 55 percent of working
children in the Bekaa. Similarly, the Cazas of Tyre and Sidon have 100
percent of working children in South Lebanon14.
The majority of working children in official registries are male (88 percent
of working children aged 10-14 years and 86 percent of those aged 15-19
years). The highest percentages of female working children are noted in
Akkar and Beirut Eastern Suburbs15.
A study conducted by UNICEF on working children (1995) indicated that
43 percent of working children record an early entry into the labour market
(10-13 years), whereas 21 percent begin work before they are 10 years
of age16.
The majority of working children have low enrolment rates, dropping out
of school as a result of their failure in their studies. Consequently,
as a result of dropping out from school children begin work. Accordingly,
37.5% of working children are illiterate or have not finished their elementary
education17,
compared to national illiteracy levels of 1.6 percent and 2.4 percent
for the 10-14 year age group and 15-19 year age group, respectively18.
The majority of children ages 10-14 years are paid workers (82.3 percent),
whereas 6.6 percent are unpaid and 6.8 percent are unpaid family labour19.
The same statistics source indicates that a high number of children work
in metal works (33 percent) and handicrafts and artisanat (21 percent).
Official figures indicate that most working children are employed in the
industrial sector (46 percent) followed by commerce, repairs, and maintenance
(31 percent). Eleven percent of working children are reported to be employed
in the agriculture sector, and 5 percent work in construction20.
The selection of these sectors is most probably linked to the availability
of employment for children in these sectors, rather than intended selection
of sectors.
The majority of children ages 10-14 years have permanent employment (79
percent), where 14.5 percent work intermittently and 6.4 percent work
on a seasonal basis. It is noted that a higher percentage of children
working seasonally is found in Akkar, Baalbeck, Tyre, and Tripoli. Similar
percentages are observed for youth aged 14-17 years (of whom 81 percent
are permanent workers, 13 percent are intermittent workers and 6 percent
are seasonal workers)21.
The majority of working children are paid very low salaries, all of them
earning rates below the minimum wage rate declared by the Government.
An unpublished study of 59 working children conducted in Beirut Northern
Suburbs in 1996 revealed that 65 percent of children get less than half
the minimum wage rate22.
The same study indicated that 90 percent of working children worked more
than ten hours per day, and are not registered by employers in the National
Social Security Fund (NSSF), therefore they are not covered by health
or medical insurance, nor are they entitled to indemnities.
Finally, the most widely accepted cause of child labour is poverty. The
majority of Lebanese children work as a result of economic need (50 percent),
whereas 33 percent work to acquire a job and 14 percent work because they
failed in school23.
Furthermore, most working children come from poor socio-economic backgrounds.
It is noted that 66 percent of fathers of working children aged 10-14
years are either illiterate or barely know how to read and write. This
is especially true in Akkar, Tripoli, Zahle, and Hermel. Similarly, 73
percent of parents of children seeking employment aged 10-14 years are
either illiterate or barely literate24.
III Child Labour in Tobacco Cultivation
III.1 General Characteristics
III.1.1 Number
and Location of Working Children
An accurate estimate of the number of working children in tobacco cultivation
is difficult to arrive at using the research tools employed in this study.
However, an estimate can be arrived at using the number of tobacco farmers
in South Lebanon, estimating the average number of family members multiplied
by the percentage of children and youth 5-19 years of age.
The total number of tobacco farmers in south Lebanon amounts to 13,293
(1999 figures)25.
South Lebanon has an average number of 5 members per family26.
Given that tobacco is a family business, and since 33.7 percent of the
population in South Lebanon are aged 5-19 years27,
it can be estimated that South Lebanon alone encompasses around 22,400
working youth and children in tobacco cultivation, of which 7400 are 5-9
years old, 7400 are 10-14 years old and 7600 are 15-19 years old.
The concentration of working children in tobacco is witnessed in villages
with a concentration of more than 100 tobacco farmers. Given that tobacco
is a family farming business, it can be safely assumed that villages with
high numbers of tobacco farmers have a high concentration of working children
and youth in this type of plantation.
III.1.2 Socio-Economic
Characteristics of Working Children
Age Distribution: The assessment carried out in the context of
this study revealed that most of the working children in tobacco cultivation
are 12-15 years old, followed by those who are 9-12 years of age.
Wages and Entry into Labor Market: The study revealed that most
of the children are unpaid family workers, entering into the labour market
at a very early age, for some at as young as three years old. Around 42
percent of interviewed children began their work when they were 6-9 years
old, and 34 percent of the children were even younger (3-6 years). Children
who began working in tobacco cultivation when they were older than 12
years of age were in the minority.
Educational Characteristics: As is the case for Lebanese children
aged 6-9 years, the majority of interviewed children are enrolled in school,
and only 7 percent are out of school.
The highest school dropout rate begins after completion of the elementary
years. It is noted that parents residing in the former occupied zone used
to send their children out of the region when they reach their teens as
they were afraid of the security status in the area.
Around 57 percent of the children indicate that their work in tobacco
cultivation has a negative effect on their educational attainment. This
is primarily due to the fact that many children have to be absent from
school for performing work related to tobacco farming. This absence has
hindered their educational progress and achievements and decreased their
possibilities of success.
More than sixty percent of working children in tobacco cultivation feel
that their work has deprived them of their leisure time since they have
no spare time for playing with friends or for recreational activities.
III.1.3 Access
to Basic Social Services
Judging from the village rapid assessments carried out in relation to
this study, it is noted that most village residents have access to basic
health services, whether through the availability of dispensaries, health
centres, or mobile clinics. The problem, in general, lies in the limited
access to hospital care and curative health services. Children in most
villages have access to basic schooling since the majority of villages
have elementary schools. However, intermediate and secondary schools are
not easily accessible within villages, and youth wishing to continue their
education need to search for educational opportunities outside their own
villages. This usually decreases chances for educational attainment as
the related costs are high compared to rural households' incomes.
Most villages lack access to basic infrastructure in terms of potable
water networks and sewer networks. Basic agricultural infrastructure such
as irrigation water and agricultural machinery are also lacking in most
communities.
III.1.4 Nature
of Work
One of the major characteristics of tobacco cultivation is that it is
a family business: all members of the family are in one way or the other
responsible for one or more tasks associated with tobacco cultivation.
Children's work in tobacco cultivation is, in many ways, different from
child labour in other sectors of the economy where children are employed
for "wages". Almost all children working in tobacco cultivation are unpaid
family aid (the assessment affirmed that the majority of working children
work with their parents, without any type of monetary reward).
Most of the work of children in tobacco is done during the summer (50
percent) and spring (33 percent) seasons. The majority of the work of
the children is in needle binding of tobacco leaves, harvesting and seedling
transplant. In this regards, child labour in tobacco cultivation is divided
into four phases based on age groups: less than 5 years, 5-10 years, 11-15
years, and 16-20 years.
Children below 5 years of age work in tobacco cultivation mostly to imitate
the work of elder brothers and sisters. The work of children in this age
group is limited to putting the leaves of the tobacco in threads for drying
using special steelheads. It is observed that no gender variation can
be recorded in the work of children in this age group where children of
both sexes do this type of activity.
As children get older, specific duties are entrusted to children aged
5-10 years. Children in this age group work in seedling transplant and
leaf drying. Seedling transplant usually occurs in April and May of each
year, where all members of the family work to complete this task, to the
extent that schools in villages with a high number of tobacco farmers
close during the transplant season. It is noteworthy that schools have
tried to negotiate the dates of official holidays with the Ministry of
National Education in order to accommodate children's absences during
periods of tobacco seedling transplants and harvesting. Parents begin
to train their 5-10 year old children on acquiring skills related to tobacco
cultivation. It is habitual for parents to provide incentives to encourage
children to acquire the needed skills. In terms of actual seedling transplant,
children in this age group are responsible for covering the roots of the
tobacco seedlings with soil. Their role, however, in drying tobacco leaves
becomes more important, where a child is expected to complete around 30
steelheads (40 cm long and 3mm wide), equivalent to 4-kg dry tobacco.
Gender variations in this type of work are insignificant. Drying begins
in June-July, the first months of the summer vacation, which results in
restraining the time that children have to enjoy entertainment after finishing
schooling.
Children in the 10-15 year age group are actively involved in tobacco
cultivation. A child is expected to carry out the drying of an amount
varying between 30 steelheads (or 5 threads) - 90 steelheads (or 15 threads).
It is noteworthy that each steelhead takes 175 medium sized leaves or
300 small sized leaves. Also, children in this age group are expected
to become actively involved in harvesting, especially girls. They have
to wake up very early (at 5.00 a.m.) to work for 2.5 hours prior to going
to school. Evidently, this has an impact on school attainment, as teachers
in the villages indicate that children loose their concentration due to
the lack of adequate sleep. In addition to harvesting, children in this
age group are expected to assist in planting (seedling transplant, irrigation,
weeding). It is noted that girls are specifically responsible for preparing
the seedlings and weeding, in addition to their assistance in drying.
During their teenage years when children are 15-20 years old their work
in tobacco cultivation increases to encompass all duties, from planting
and transplanting seedlings, irrigating plants, weeding, harvesting, drying,
and packaging. It is noted that teenage male youth work in tobacco cultivation
less than females, as many of them leave school and search for income
earning opportunities.
What reinforces the familial nature of tobacco cultivation is that 85
percent of the children indicate that their motive for work is helping
parents, whereas 12 percent only indicate that they work to earn an income.
III.2 Conditions of Work
III.2.1 Working
Hours
Daily working hours in tobacco cultivation are long, with most children
working an average of six hours each day (47 percent). Others (30.5 percent)
work four hours on a daily basis in the tobacco production season. Furthermore,
one third of the children indicate that they work between 88-152 days
or almost 3-5 months per year in tobacco cultivation, and 30 percent of
the children work between 152-226 days per year.
III.2.2 Wages
Most of the children working in tobacco cultivation are family aids and
are not wage earners.
III.2.3 Work Environment
The premises where children work are small, dirty, and full of dust. During
the months of drying (May-June), children sit on the floor in front of their
houses in small narrow spaces with all members of the family. They are seated
in narrow spaces with tobacco leaves in the center. Alternatively, when
working in the fields, children must tolerate intense sunlight and high
temperatures, which often cause headaches for most of the children.
Children usually walk from their houses to the fields, this distance taking
between 15-30 minutes to travel. Children have revealed in the rapid assessment
that they are usually afraid of insects and snakes during their walks through
the fields.
The tools used in executing various tasks related to tobacco cultivation
are unsuitable and usually non-motorized hand tools, and contains unguarded
dangerous equipment.
It is noted that emergency kits are rarely available in work places. When
a child is hurt alcohol and plasters are applied, but medical advice is
not sought. Furthermore, no first aid kits are available at the work locations.
Children working in tobacco cultivation are faced with risks and dangers.
The field assessment carried out in the context of the study indicated that
almost 25 percent of working children have been hurt at least once during
their work in tobacco cultivation. The most prominent type of injury is
simple cuts. Children do not wear gloves, neither do they have special working
clothes. The nature of these risks differ slightly with different age groups
as follows:
- Children younger than 5 years of age face the danger of simple cuts
while putting the leaves of the tobacco in threads for drying using
special steelheads;
- Children aged 5-10 years face the danger of getting fever due to long
exposure to the sun during seedling transplant, as well as other risks
related to working with un-safe equipment, especially cuts as a result
of using the steelheads;
- Being actively involved in tobacco cultivation, children aged 10-15
years face similar dangers as those in the 5-10 year age group. However,
and in addition to these dangers, they have the tendency to be very
tired as a result of waking up early for harvesting, in addition to
exposure to poisonous insects in the field.
Most of the working children eat during their working hours (only 17 percent
indicated that they do not access food during work). Morning meals are prepared
by a female member of the family prior to beginning the leaf drying work.
In the fields parents bring gallons of potable water for drinking purposes.
Abuse in the sense of isolation, illegal trafficking, and sexual harassment
is not witnessed among working children. Some children express that their
parents are sometimes violent, beating them if they do not learn the needed
skills. Verbal abuse is also used.
There are several constraints that bother children in their work in tobacco
cultivation. The most prominent of these include the need to wake up early
in the morning during the harvest season, having to work long hours, being
bored during leaf drying and the inability to have time for recreational
activities. Furthermore, children feel very tired after working for long
hours in tobacco cultivation.
III.3 Attitudes Towards Work
The
interviews carried out with working children revealed that 45 percent
of children do not like working in tobacco cultivation as the "work is
tiring, boring and hard". A further 22 percent of the children do not
like working in tobacco cultivation for different reasons.
III.4 Socio-economic Characteristics
of Families
In the
context of the study, and for the purpose of cross-checking the data received
from the rapid assessment relating to households, a survey on the socio-economic
characteristics of 131 tobacco families from the different villages was
conducted. This survey served the purpose of outlining the socio-economic
background of families of working children in tobacco cultivation. The
following section outlines the findings of the study, and illustrates
that these families are bigger in size, with a more youthful age structure.
Families of tobacco plantation have lower educational status and lower
income levels. The average family size of tobacco farming households is
around 7.1 members.
The information gathered indicates that the majority of the residents
are youth aged 11-19 years (39 percent), in addition to 14 percent aged
5-10 years.
The educational status of parents of working children in tobacco cultivation
is low. Approximately 23 percent of fathers and 40 percent of mothers
are either illiterate or barely literate. On the other hand, only 12 percent
and 11 percent of fathers and mothers, respectively, have attained secondary
education.
As seen, most families earn a yearly income ranging between LBP10-20 million
for an average family of 7 members.
III.5 General Village Situations
All
selected villages still employ traditional tools for cultivation, in addition
to machinery for plough purposes only. Tobacco cultivation in these villages
is characterized by fragmented small land plots, with a maximum allowable
"quota" equivalent to 4 dunums per farmer.
It is noted that the villages of Deir Kifa, Rmeish and Aitaroun are all
characterized by a high percentage of internal migration with a considerable
number of household members migrating to urban areas of the country. Touline
is characterized by the presence of skilled labour in tobacco cultivation,
with its farmers being employed by other villages as daily paid employees
for tobacco cultivation.
Selected villages have a relatively large family size amounting to 6-7
members per family. In most villages the percent of children and youth
is high, with the exception of Aitaroun that is characterized by high
internal and external migration.
As is the case for most villages in South Lebanon, most of the villages
have access to basic education through the existence of an elementary
school in the village. Most have access to basic health services, and
three access water through an artesian well.
Most families in the different villages earn less than LBP20 million per
year for an average family of 6-7 members. In some villages, more than
40 percent of families earn less than LBP10 million per years for a family
of 6-7 members.
IV Conclusions and Recommendations
IV.1 Conclusions
Based on
the findings of the study, the following conclusions can be clearly observed:
- Most of the working children in tobacco cultivation are 12-15 years
old and are unpaid family labour, entering into the labour market at
a very early age. Most of these children are enrolled in school during
the elementary level years. Following this stage, the highest school
dropout rate begins.
- In general, Lebanese working children belong to large, poor families
with low levels of attainment in formal education.. The majority of
them are either illiterate or have dropped out of school before the
completion of the elementary level. The majority of children enter the
labour market at an early age.
- More than half of the children working in tobacco feel that their
work has a negative effect both on their educational attainment and
leisure time.
- Most village residents have access to basic health services, whether
through the availability of dispensaries, health centers, or mobile
clinics. The problem, in general, lies in the limited access to hospital
care and curative health services. Children in most villages have access
to basic schooling.
- Children's work in tobacco cultivation is, in many ways, different
from child labour in other sectors of the economy where children are
employed for wages. Almost all children working in tobacco cultivation
are unpaid family aid.
- Most of the work of children in tobacco is done during the summer
and spring seasons for an average workday of between four to six hours.
The majority of the work is in needle binding of tobacco leaves, harvesting
and seedling transplant. The tasks are divided into four phases based
on age groups: less than 5 years, 5-10 years, 11-15 years, and 16-20
years.
- The premises where children work are small, dirty, and full of dust.
Children usually walk from their houses to the fields, with distances
taking between 15-30 minutes. The tools used in executing various tasks
related to tobacco cultivation are unsuitable; usually non-motorized
hand tools that contain unguarded dangerous equipment. Emergency kits
are rarely available in work places. Children face several risks and
dangers, including cuts, sun-burns, and stress due to early wake-up
and long work hours. Almost half of the children do not like their work
as it is "tiring, boring and hard".
- Working children belong to large families with low socio-economic
standards.
IV.2 Recommendations
Based on
the findings of the study, the following recommendations should be taken
into consideration:
- A special accelerated skills training program for children working
in tobacco cultivation is recommended. Such training should also include
awareness raising on risks and dangers associated with working in tobacco
cultivation. This training can be conducted through the Community Development
Centers of the Ministry of Social Affairs, and can thus be sustained
through the regular program of the Ministry.
- As a high number of working children feel that their work in tobacco
cultivation is boring and tiring, it is recommended to improve the working
conditions of children in tobacco cultivation (ex. transportation means,
protection from heat and equipment, resting places, emergency kits,
etc.).
- All working places should be equipped with first aid health kits for
injuries. As well, parents should have some notion of how to handle
dangers and injuries related to tobacco cultivation.
- It is recommended that younger children have special protection measures
as they are more vulnerable to injuries.
- Awareness raising sessions should be conducted for parents of working
children to educate them on the needs, dangers, and risks associated
with their children's work in tobacco cultivation, including the need
for leisure and study time. These sessions can also target changing
the perceptions of parents towards tobacco cultivation, and can also
be carried out in the Community Development Centers.
- Children in general, and those working in tobacco cultivation in specific,
have expressed their need for recreational activities. Finding such
community-based facilities and equipping them to serve as recreational
centers in villages should be established to assist in decreasing the
social isolation of children. Such facilities can also be used as forums
for conducting awareness projects.
- Programs for raising awareness on child labor and the rights of the
child are recommended. These programs should target the communities
at large, and parents of working children in specific. Schools can be
used to facilitate such programs.
- The Regie Administration, being ultimately involved in tobacco cultivation,
should be also involved in improving the working conditions of children.
For example, the company should be encouraged to provide transportation
means or emergency medical tools that would improve working conditions
in tobacco cultivation, as well as improve the image of the Company.
- It is also recommended that the Syndicate of Tobacco farmers be involved
in programs directed towards improving the working conditions of children
in tobacco cultivation. The Syndicate is active and is in direct contact
with farmers, and can be used as a lobby group to support projects for
raising awareness and/or improving working conditions.
- Non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations could
be mobilized to take part in improving the working conditions of children
in tobacco. For example, many NGOs are involved in the provision of
primary health care services in communities and they can be mobilized
to assist in the provision of such services to children working in tobacco
cultivation. Likewise, NGOs can be used for conducting awareness raising
campaigns on safety issues, child labor, and children rights.
- Municipalities can play an important role in providing services that
would improve the working conditions of children in tobacco cultivation.
- The economic dependency of families on tobacco cultivation should
be changed.. As such, the government should try to promoter other cash
crops for cultivation in the region, and should sustain their marketing.
Annex: Village Reports
Rapid
Appraisal Village Reports
Please note: In all villages interviews
were conducted with key informants including the head of municipality
or Mukhtar, the school director and instructor, residents and farmers,
as well as tobacco farmers and working children.
Zawtar el-Charkiyeh
Geographic
Location and History
The village is located in the Caza
of Nabatiyeh, with an altitude of 340-475 m, and a distance of 82km from
Beirut, 39km from Sidon, and 9km from the Caza capital, through the coastal
road leading to Zahrani, then Nabatiyeh. The origin of the name of the
village is Zawtra, and it was known for as the "wine village" due to the
large number of grapevines.
Zawtar el-Charkiyeh and Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh used to constitute one village,
after which the later became a separate village. Residents indicate that
it is one of the oldest villages in South Lebanon due to the presence
of historic sites, including Phoenician cemeteries and caves, as well
as Latin and Roman caves and very old oil pressers.
The village is bordered by the Litani river from the south, Zawtar el-Charkiyeh
from the east, Mayfadoun from the north, and Ka'kaiyat el-Jisr from the
west.
The village is divided into four main neighborhoods: al-Marj, al-Jarran,
al-Baidar, and Dahr el-Nakad. The total area of the village is 4500 dunums,
one-third of which is owned by the Maronite Patriarchy.
Resident
Population
The total number of resident is estimated
at 2000, with the following age distribution: 5% above 60 years, 54% below
20 years and 41% aged 20-60 years. The average size of the family is 6-7
members. The percent of community members who have migrated to Beirut
does not exceed 10% of the residents. Hence, there are almost no seasonal
variations in the number of residents in the village.
More than 70% of families have a yearly income between LBP 10-20 million,
and 20% earn LBP20-30 million, whereas 10% earn less than LBP10 million
per year.
Housing
Units
The number of housing units in the
village is estimated at 300 houses. Of these 4 are totally destroyed,
whereas the majority need rehabilitation and renovation as a result of
Israeli aggression.
Working
Population
Families depend on agriculture as
the primary source of income. Around half of these families depend on
tobacco cultivation, whereas the rest have green houses (total number
equivalent to 90 greenhouses in the village). The village also cultivates
grain crops for auto-consumption. All family members can be considered
workers. Women mainly work in tobacco cultivation, and many youth are
skilled laborers.
Basic
Services
Sewer systems do not exist in the
village, rather residents depend on sanitary pits. The road network inside
the village is narrow and needs rehabilitation. The telecommunication
network was established in the village in 1968, but has been non-operational
since 1975. The electrical network was established in 1964. The water
network is damaged due to Israeli bombardment, and the village currently
uses an artesian well to satisfy its need for potable water.
Basic
Social Services
In 1959 a school was built, with assistance
from residents. The school was recently renovated by the Council for the
South. However, the school has not been operating since 1995 due to its
proximity to the former occupied zone and the continued bombardment of
the village. Most of the children are enrolled outside the village. The
total number of residents with university degrees does not amount to more
than 30, 10 of whom are females. The village does not have a health center,
and the nearest health center in Nabatiyeh. The municipality of Zawtar
was established in 1970. There is one youth club that is currently non-operational.
Economic
Enterprises
In addition to agricultural cultivation
enterprises, there exist around 20 small enterprises.
Tobacco
Cultivation
The total arable land is estimated
at 2000 dunums, half of which can be cultivated using machinery, whereas
the rest is not accessible. Most of the cultivated land in the village
is not irrigated (only 100 dunums are irrigated).
Around 285 families (almost 50% of the households in the village) depend
on tobacco cultivation. The total area of land cultivated with tobacco
amounts to 685 dunums, with a total production of 81000 kg and a total
income of LBP851 million (1998). The number of farmers cultivating tobacco
increased from 124 farmers in 1975 to 289 in 1999. The majority of tobacco
farmers own 3-4 dunums.
There are around 400 children working in tobacco in the village. A number
of families in Zawtar el-Charkiyeh would like to plant tobacco but are
not able to acquire a quota from the State. Farmers within the village
face a lot of constraints, especially the need for land reclamation, the
need for improved varieties and irrigation, as well as the need to access
financial resources.
Touline
Geographic
Location and History
The village is located in the Mohafazat
of Nabatiyeh, Marjeyoun Caza, with an altitude of 500 m, and a distance
of 125km from Beirut, 63km from Marjeyoun, the Caza capital, and 30 km
from Bint Jbeil. The origin of the name of the village is Toulan, an Iraqi
village near Basra.
The village is bordered by Majdel Silm and Sowaneh from the south, Qabriha
from the east, Qantra-Ghandouriye from the north, and Qalaouyie from the
west.
The village is divided into seven main neighborhoods: al-Madrasa, Al-Roueis,
Al-Moloul, Al-Tamriyeh, al-Baidara, al-Shakayer and Marj el-Asafir. The
total area of the village is around 4000 dunums.
Resident
Population
The total population of the village
is estimated at 3500, divided among 450 households, of whom 2500 are residents.
Touline has the following age distribution: 5% above 60 years, 45% below
20 years, 23% between 20-40 years and 27% aged 40-60 years. The average
size of the family is 6-7 members.
The percent of community members who have migrated to Beirut amounts to
around 20% (around 750), whereas some families recently migrated to Paraguay
and some 175 members living in the Gulf. Due to immigration, seasonal
variation in the number of residents are observed with a higher number
of returnees during the summer season.
The number of female residents is higher than males reaching 60%, and
the average number of family members amounts to 6-7 members.
More than 40% of families have a yearly income between LBP 12-20 million,
and 15% earn LBP20-30 million, whereas 40% earn less than LBP12 million
per year.
Housing
Units
Touline has around 450 housing units,
of which 20 are totally destroyed and 150 need renovation. Most houses
are old with the exception of 20 housing units.
Working
Population
Families depend on agriculture as
the primary source of income. More than 95% of families are tobacco farmers.
Green house production declined due to the need for irrigation, high production
costs, and difficulties in marketing. In addition to cultivation enterprises,
the village has animal herds (around 90 cows, 400 goats and sheet, and
100 beehives). The village has 12 fully equipped tractors.
Basic
Services
Touline has no sewer system, and residents
depend on sanitary pits. The village used to depend on a spring for its
water needs, in addition to transporting water from the Hojeir spring.
Water needs are currently satisfied from an artesian well (two days per
week) and water from Jamal Amel Water Authority (3 days per week) for
a yearly membership of LBP 80 thousand. The electrical network is established
in the village. No telecommunication network exists. The road network
is narrow and needs renovation.
Basic
Social Services
In 1963 a public school was introduced
into the village, and was constituted of one room only. In 1970's the
residents built a five-room school, to which UNICEF and the Council for
the South added 15 room between 1978-1988. The total number of students
amounts to 259 with classes taught up-to the third intermediate level.
In addition, there are around 150 students studying outside the school
in neighboring villages. It is noted that the schools close during the
tobacco season as more than 90% of the students have to absent themselves
to help their parents in tobacco cultivation. The school has 14 instructors.
The total number of residents with university degrees does not amount
to more than 22, 10 of whom are females.
The village has a health center established in 1985 that needs renovation.
There exists in the village a community social center that is administered
by the Ministry of Social Affaires and that teaches women on handicrafts.
Touline has no municipality.
The residents agreed with a tractor owner to collect solid wastes and
dump them outside the village for a monthly membership fee of LBP 5000
per household.
Economic
Enterprises
Touline has 4 small enterprises for
aluminum and marble, 12 tractors for agricultural usage, and 14 small
shops.
Tobacco
Cultivation
The total arable land is estimated
at 2500 dunums, with one family owning 40% of the land, and the rest being
small ownership.
None of Touline agricultural lands are irrigated. All of the fields are
non-irrigated.
Touline used to have a considerable number of grain, vegetable, and olive
trees produce. However, all this cultivation declined with the increase
in tobacco cultivation. Around 98% of the resident families in the village
depend on tobacco cultivation, with an area varying between 4-10 dunums.
Moreover, some farmers use 500 dunums of neighboring villages for tobacco
cultivation. The total number of tobacco farmers are currently estimated
at 390 farmers, cultivating a total area of 1521 dunums, producing 220
thousand kg with a total production sale exceeding LBP2000 million.
The number of farmers cultivating tobacco increased from 292 farmers in
1975 to 390 in 1999. The majority of tobacco farmers own 3-4 dunums. The
major constraints facing the farmers include the need for land reclamation
and agricultural roads.
Aitaroun
Geographic
Location and History
Aitaroun is located in the Caza of
Bint-Jbeil, with an altitude of 650m and a distance of 125km from Beirut,
and 4km from the Caza capital. The origin of the name of the village is
Itruma, which means the beautiful smell. Some people believe that the
name is derived from "Aitharoun".
The village is bordered by Palestine and Maroun el-Ras from the south,
Palestine from the east, Blida and Ainata from the north, and Bint Jbeil
from the west. The village was occupied by the Israelis for 22 years and
was only liberated in 2000.
Resident
Population
The total population is estimated
at 20000, and is considered one of the biggest villages in the neighborhood.
The actual number of residents is estimated at 5000, with around 200 returnees
after the Israeli withdrawal. The remaining population is distributed
between immigrants (2000 in Australia, 1000 in Germany, 300 in Sweden,
and some others in different countries), in addition to around 4000 internal
migrants living in Beirut and a considerable number living in Tyre and
other villages.
Aitaroun has the following age distribution: 15% above 60 years, 25% below
20 years, 20% aged 21-30 years and 40% aged 31-59 years. The average size
of the family is 6-7 members. A considerable percent of male youth have
migrated during the Israeli occupation and have not yet returned to the
village.
Housing
Units
The number of housing units in the
village is estimated at 1300, most of which are old, and some are still
made of mud.
Working
Population
Families depend on agriculture as
the primary source of income. Around 95% of agricultural cultivation in
the village is taken up by tobacco, with some fruit trees, vegetables,
and grain crops for auto-consumption. Considerable income used to enter
into the village during the occupation, estimated monthly at $200,000
due to the work of a number of its males in the Southern Lebanese Army
and some in Israel.
Basic
Services
The village does not have a telecommunication
network. The internal road network is narrow and needs rehabilitation.
The electrical network was established in 1964. The residents agreed with
a tractor owner to collect solid wastes and dump them outside the village
for a monthly membership fee of LBP 5000 per household. During the occupation,
the village relied on Israel for potable water with a cost of LBP 2500
per cubic meter per day. Currently the villages have to buy water.
Basic
Social Services
There are 5 schools in Aitaroun: two
public and three private. Public schools, elementary and intermediate,
encompass 250 students, with a higher percentage of girls especially for
the intermediate level. The total number of students in the private schools
amount to 570 distributed on one elementary school and two intermediate
schools. The total number of instructors is 115, of whom 47 teach in the
village whereas others teach in surrounding villages. More than 80 doctors
and 85 engineers come from Aitaroun. The Israeli occupation has resulted
in internal displacement out of the village: in 1969 the resident population
in the village amounted to 6500 with a total number of 1329 students,
whereas currently, the number of residents does not exceed 3500 and the
number of students is 250. The village has one health center that is operated
by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The municipal council in the village was established in 1961 but has disintegrated
since then. Currently, there is a local community committee that leads
the work in the village.
Economic
Enterprises
There exists in Aitaroun a number
of small industries employing less than 3 workers, and that are usually
family members, in addition to around 50 small stores.
Tobacco
Cultivation
Most of the cultivated land in the
village is not irrigated. Around 853 families depend on tobacco cultivation.
The total area of land cultivated with tobacco amounts to 3305 dunums,
with a production of 350,000 kg for a total of LBP4000 million. The majority
of tobacco farmers own 4-5 dunums.
Farmers face a lot of constraints including the need for irrigation, and
agricultural infrastructure.
Rmeish
Geographic
Location and History
Rmeish is located in the Caza of Bint-Jbeil,
with an altitude of 600m and a distance of 130km from Beirut, and 10km
from the Caza capital. The origin of the name of the village is Ramshaya,
which means the "evening" or "hill". There are some historic sites in
the village including two cemeteries. The road to Rmeish goes through
Tyre, Naquora, Alma-Shaab, or through Bint-Jbeil. The village is bordered
by Palestine from the south, Yaroun from the east, Ain Ebel from the north,
and Aita-Shaab from the west.
The total area of the village is 20,000 dunums distributed as follows:
Rmeish farms 4750 dunums, border areas 7250 dunums, habitual areas 2000
dunums, and agricultural land 6000 dunums. The village was occupied by
the Israelis for 22 years and was only liberated in 2000.
Resident
Population
The total population of the village
is estimated at 12000, of whom 50% live in Rmeish whereas the rest are
either internal migrants to Beirut or external migrants to the Gulf countries
and Australia.
Aitaroun has the following age distribution: 5% above 60 years, 40% below
20 years, 40% aged 21-40 years and 15% aged 41-60 years.
Most of the families earn a yearly income less than LBP10 million (40%),
whereas 30% earn LBP 10-20 million, and 20% earn LBP20-30 million, while
10% earn more than LBP30 million per year.
Housing
Units
The number of housing units in the
village is estimated at 800, most of which are in acceptable condition.
Most of the housing units were constructed in the past two decades during
the occupation.
Working
Population
Families depend on agriculture as
the primary source of income. Around 95% of agricultural cultivation in
the village is taken up by tobacco, with some fruit trees, vegetables,
and grain crops for auto-consumption. Considerable income used to enter
into the village during the occupation, estimated monthly at $500,000
due to the work of a number of its males in the Southern Lebanese Army
and some in Israel. Now the village has a lot of employees in the public
sector.
Basic
Services
The village has a telecommunication
network. The internal road network is acceptable, and there exists electricity.
During the occupation, the village relied on Israel for potable water
with a cost of LBP 2500 per cubic meter per day.
Basic
Social Services
As residents of Rmeish consider that
education is important, there are 5 schools: three public and two private.
The public schools include elementary, intermediate and secondary classes.
The total number of students is 1300 (100 secondary students, and 500
intermediate students). The total number of instructors is 120. More than
50 doctors and 40 engineers come from Rmeish.
The village has two health centers, one operated by the Lebanese Red Cross,
whereas the other is run by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The municipal council in the village was established in 1961 and is still
working. There exists a number of youth social clubs and one agricultural
cooperative.
Economic
Enterprises
There exist in Rmeish a number of
small industries, in addition to around 100 small stores. In addition,
there are more than 28 stores for Rmeish residents in Naquora that used
to sell Israeli produce in the market.
There exists more than 500 employees in Rmeish. Considerable income used
to enter into the village during the occupation, estimated monthly at
$500,000 due to the work of a number of its males in the Southern Lebanese
Army and some in Israel.
Tobacco
Cultivation
The total arable land is estimated
at 10,000 dunums. In addition to tobacco, there exists some cultivation
of grain corps and olives for auto consumption. In addition two community
pools are used for rain water and irrigation purposes. Farmers use machinery.
Rmeish has two poultry farms and more than 500 beehives.
Around 780 families cultivate tobacco. The total area of land cultivated
with tobacco amounts to 3290 dunums, with a production of totaling LBP3800
million. The majority of tobacco farmers own 3-4 dunums.
Deir-Kifa
Geographic
Location and History
The village is location in the Caza
of Tyre, with a distance of 90km from Beirut, and 22km from the Caza capital,
through the coastal road leading to Srifa or through Abbasiye. The origin
of the name dates back to the crusaders when prince Keev built a monastery
in the village.
The village is bordered by Shehabiye and Kfardounine from the south, Qalaouyie
from the east, Srifa and Toueri from the north, and Selaa from the west.
The village is divided into three main neighborhoods: al-Shamsieh, al-Qalaa,
and the old quarters. The total area of the village is 8000 dunums, of
which 1200 dunums are owned by the Christian Patriarchy.
Resident
Population
The total population is estimated
at 4000, of whom 1500 are residents and the rest are internal migrants
to Beirut (1500) and external migrants to Australia, Germany and the United
States. The number of residents increases during the summer season.
The age distribution in the village is as follows: 5% above 60 years,
45% below 20 years and 50% aged 20-60 years. The average size of the family
is 5-6 members.
More than 35% of families have a monthly income less than LBP1 million,
and 35% earn LBP1-2 million, whereas 30% earn between LBP2-3 million per
month.
Housing
Units
The average number of housing units
is estimated at 380. Most are fine, with no trace of destroyed units.
Only 20% of households need rehabilitation.
Working
Population
More than 40% of the families in Deir
Kifa depend on agriculture as the primary source of income. Some 60 families
depend on tobacco cultivation, whereas the rest cultivate grain crops
and vegetables for auto-consumption, in addition to olive trees. As is
the case in most villages within the formerly occupied zone, unemployment
has increased after the Israeli withdrawal.
Basic
Services
The village has no sewer networks.
The road network is acceptable. Water is derived from Wadi Jilo, in addition
to the existence of an artesian well.
Basic
Social Services
A public school was built in 1948,
which currently houses 110 students. The school premise is in urgent need
of renovation. There exists in the village one secondary school constructed
by UNIFIL and the Council for the South. There are 40-50 students who
study outside the village. The total number of residents with university
degrees does not amount to more than 20.
The village has a health center currently operated by a local committee
and the ministry of Social Affairs.
The village does not have a municipality. There is one youth club that
is currently operational.
Economic
Enterprises
In addition to agricultural cultivation
enterprises, there exist several small enterprises in the village.
Tobacco
Cultivation
The total arable land is estimated
at 3500 dunums, cultivated with olive trees (400 dunums), vegetables and
grain crops for auto consumption, and tobacco cultivation. Most of the
cultivated land in the village is not irrigated.
Around 60 families depend on tobacco cultivation. The total area of land
cultivated with tobacco amounts to 205 dunums, with a total production
of 210000 kg. The number of farmers cultivating tobacco increased from
124 farmers in 1975 to 289 in 1999. The majority of tobacco farmers own
3-4 dunums.
The number of tobacco farmers declined in Deir Kifa over the past years,
from 77 in 1975 to 60 in 1999.
1
Tobacco Administration in Lebanon-unpublished information.
2 UNDP and HRC: Regional
Socio-economic Development Programme for South Lebanon, 1999.
3 Tobacco Administration
in Lebanon- unpublished information.
4 ibid.
5 UNDP and HRC: Regional
Socio-economic Development Programme for South Lebanon, 1999.
6 ibid.
7 Central Administration
of Statistics: Living Conditions in 1997, 1997.
8 ibid.
9 ibid.
10 ibid.
11 Central Directorate
of Statistics: Active Population in Lebanon, Sample Survey, 1972.
12 ibid.
13 Ministry of Social
Affairs: Situation of Children in Lebanon 1993-1998, 1998.
14 The Ministry of
Social Affairs and UNFPA: Housing and Population Database, 1997.
15 ibid.
16 UNICEF: Preliminary
Study on the State of Working Children in Lebanon, 1995.
17 ibid.
18 Central Administration
of Statistics: Living Conditions in 1997, 1997.
19 Haifa Hamdan:
Child Labor in Lebanon, 1997.
20 ibid.
21 ibid.
22 Haifa Hamdan:
Child Labor in Lebanon, 1996.
23 Haifa Hamdan:
Child Labor in Lebanon, 1996.
24 The Ministry of
Social Affairs and UNFPA: Housing and Population Database, 1997.
25 Unofficial data
from the Tobacco Administration.
26 Central Administration
of Statistics: Living Conditions in 1997, 1997.
27 ibid.
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