A recent report released by Platform to Monitor Syrian Refugees in Istanbul revealed that most refugees lived in Istanbul as they considered refugee camps as insecure and discriminatory environments.
According to the report, ethnical background and religious beliefs were listed as major factors.
“Refugee camps are mainly prepared to provide the needs for refugees with Sunni-Arab refugees. Most Syrian refugees in Istanbul are of Kurdish other origins. Some are Alewives. But they all think that they would face discrimination in the camps,” the report cited.
The report was drafted after a series interviews with 244 refugees located in Istanbul. Other reasons for not going to camps are willingness to find a job and camp living conditions.
“Most Syrian refugees have expressed in returning to their hometowns once the civil war is over,” the report said.
Low pays
Some of the highlights from the report included:
* Almost none of the interviewees have official work permit.
* Only 54 out of 244 interviewees are listed as employed with no insurance. 16 turned out to be children.
* Most refugees work in non-documented jobs under hard conditions and low pays. Textile turned out to be the most preferred sector.
* Most workers complain that they are not paid regularly.
* Workers are deprived from asking their rights as they are not working legally.
* Employers hire refugees with a pay only equivalent to the third of regular employee.
* In most household, women and children work with piecemeal fashion.
* According to the report, the average income of refugee is around 555 liras.
Lack of support
Interviewees also add that some applied for social security which was refused by officials. They also said that the reason behind low turnout of applications is also related to the rejections.
“Some refugee women and children are trying to collect money on the streets. In return, they face media coverage depicting them as ‘Syrian baggers’.”
199 people in 24 apartments
The report also revealed another issue regarding poor accommodation conditions. According to this, 199 out 244 interviewees live in apartments while the remaining are lodged in tents: “However, it turned out that these 199 refugees have to live cramped in 24 apartments. Most of them only have one bathroom. The total number of rooms is 56. There is one bathroom and toilet per 8.5 people.
Refugees also complain that most apartments were overly-priced and humid with poor sunlight exposure and lacking basic hygiene standards. (YY/BM)
* Platform to Monitor Syrian Refugees in Istanbul is composed by the following associations: Eşit Haklar için İzleme Derneği, Göç Edenler Sosyal Yardımlaşma ve Kültür Derneği, İnsan Hakları Derneği İstanbul Şubesi, İstanbul bilgi Üniversitesi Göç Çalışmaları Merkezi, Hayata Destek Derneği, Kadınlarla Dayanışma Vakfı, Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanları Derneği İstanbul Şubesi, Sosyal Kültürel Yaşamı Geliştirme Derneği, Türkiye İnsan Hakları Vakfı İstanbul Şubesi, Toplum ve Hukuk Araştırmaları Derneği.
* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.
