We do not come across many Lebanese farmers, as Lebanese workers refuse to work in agriculture because of the low wages, the harsh work conditions and the lack of serious government policies supporting the agricultural sector.
«Before the war, we used to work seasonally in the cultivation of land in the Bekaa, we used to plant these lands before the war and we weren’t refugees then.
We now suffer from difficult living conditions, low wages, ill treatment and exploitation by those in charge of the labor market,» says Karim, 27, a Syrian farmer who has fled the war and works in agriculture.
Women work alongside men in land cultivation and this kind of participation goes back to Syria, as these families need additional income. But with these families being displaced outside of Syria, and into Lebanon in particular, work conditions have become increasingly difficult for women. Alaa’, one of the women working in agriculture, says, «I work from six in the morning and get back at seven in the evening. We are forced to stay out all these long hours so we can survive in winter when there’s only cold and sitting around. We cultivate the land, grow vegetables and fruits and whatever work we can get. The daily wage for all these hours is LL 8,000, but the shawish responsible for finding us work takes LL 2,000 from each farmer, so we get only LL 6,000.»
Alaa’ is sixteen years old and comes from Rif Aleppo (Aleppo’s countryside). She cannot write or read. Her home was bombed and turned to rubble and she now lives with her family of eleven in a small tent. Alaa’ adds, «I’m getting married next month, I dream of a good house and a decent life; I dream of visiting Damascus that I’ve never visited before.»
The harsh conditions of war and displacement have greatly affected children who also work in agriculture, as many children are involved in the cultivation of these lands. Mustafa, 11, works the land with his family too.
«I don’t really remember Aleppo; I know Lebanon more than I do Aleppo. I’ve never been to school and I can’t write or read. I know how to write ‘Allo’ on WhatsApp. I love working the land and I’m happy here in Lebanon, I have many Lebanese friends. I love Lebanon and Syria and I would like to go back home… I dream of having everything.»
The situation in Syria has become very complicated and the prolonged conflict is weighing on the presence of Syrians working in various sectors. The small size of Lebanon as a host country and the absence of real support and a clear international plan have had terrible repercussions on the stay of Syrian workers.
Karim adds, «The Lebanese are unhappy about our presence here although there is no piece of arable land that has been cultivated or residences built without Syrian labor taking part in building it.»
Alaa (R), 16, a Syrian refugee from Aleppo, displays produce she picked with her cousin during work in a grape field in Kefraya, Bekaa Valley
Mustapha, 11, a Syrian refugee from Aleppo, reacts while carrying baskets during work in a grape field in Kefraya, Bekaa Valley
Grapes, which are later used for wine, are pictured in Kefraya, Bekaa Valley
A general view shows Syrian refugee farmers working in harvesting tomatoes in the Bekaa Valley
A Syrian refugee girl, 7, eats a tomato while she helps her family work in harvesting tomatoes in the Bekaa Valley
A Syrian refugee woman from Aleppo works in harvesting tomatoes in the Bekaa Valley
Syrian refugee farmers working in harvesting tomatoes in the Bekaa Valley
Syrian refugee farmers working in harvesting tomatoes in the Bekaa Valley
Packaging bell peppers