According to a recent report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), around 170,000 workers in Syria lost their jobs due to the earthquake that struck the region last month, with 154,000 households and more than 725,000 people directly affected.

At least $5.68 million is being lost every month in Syria due to the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on February 6 across south-eastern Turkey and parts of Syria.

“Employment promotion is central to a successful and inclusive response to this disaster,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo. “People can only begin to rebuild their lives if they have rebuilt their livelihoods.”

“We owe it to those who have lost so much in the earthquake to ensure that the principles of social justice and decent work are firmly embedded in the recovery and reconstruction process,” he added.

With income and job losses, the ILO also warned about the increasing risks to occupational safety, health, and child labor. The crisis will also likely reduce take-home pay by around $150 million per month in the affected areas.

Affected provinces in Turkey are home to more than four million workers, mostly in agriculture, manufacturing, trade, or other “low-value-added” services. 

The ILO estimated that around 35,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have also been affected in Syria. Aleppo, Hama, Idleb, Lattakia, and Tartous were the five worst-affected districts, wherein 42.4% of the country’s total population resided. 

The UN agency is helping Turkish business organizations and entities to offer critical services, with initiatives on seasonal agriculture workers, child workers, and refugees. Meanwhile, the ILO offers grants in Syria to support affected workers and businesses.