URFA- The labourer families who stay in shack they build in the fields and work 15 hours for 45 TL, stated that they can't gel along with the wage increases compared to last year.

 

The cotton labourers that started living in tents and shacks they build with the start of the harvest, said the decrease in the cotton prices have a negative effect on their daily earnings. The cotton labourers that start work at 05.00 in the morning and work until 20.00 earn 40-50 TL a day.

 

WHOLE FAMILY IN THE FIELD 

 

Hüseyin Altan who mediates the cotton workers in Bozova Qirik (Örüce) says he has been working the cotton fields for 18 years with his fire and therefore has to take their 5 children with them to work in the fields.

 

Altay said: " We are here until december. The schools have already been started until then. When we go back to Siverek, my children have already been failed due to absence. But we have to do this. This is our means of livelihood.

 

45TL FOR 15 HOURS

 

Altay: " Cotton was 4.80 TL when we first came here.Then the price started falling.  When the price falls, what we earn decreases. We start working at 5 am. We work until 8 pm. We earn 45 TL per person. Everythings price has increased and we are still paid the same amount.

 

Women are paid 35 TL and children are paid 20 TL in the field.