MojNews-Iranian singer Reza Sadeghi performs for child laborers. 

Celebrated Iranian pop singer Reza Sadeghi held a free concert for child laborers at Tehran’s Milad Tower International Conference Center on Monday night.

Over 1,500 child laborers attended the pop concert, which was organized on the Day of Kindness and Charity in Iran on March 4.

The event sought to attract the attention of different classes and groups of society to engage in social responsibility and confront the phenomenon of child labor.

Addressing his young audience during the concert and between the performances of various pieces, Sadeghi talked about his childhood memories and also encouraged them to follow their dreams.

“My father was and still is a simple worker. God bless him. When I was a child, he could not work for two or three years and life became difficult for us. So, I went to work to make some money. Some people would tell me, So what?’ I would answer, ‘I know it will come out well’. As a father, I want you to always be strong and happy,” he said.

In Iran, the employment of children under the age of 15 is prohibited, and according to the Labor Law, a worker between the ages of 15 and 18 is called a “teenage worker” and must be medically tested by the Social Security Organization at the time of employment.

The latest reports show that there are about 120,000 child laborers in the country, who are generally victims of the cultural or economic poverty of their families, or the conditions caused by migration, displacement, or homelessness, and these factors cause them to work at a young age.

More than 80 percent of children living on the street are “non-Iranian”. As per the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, religious teachings, and accepted international documents, Iran is committed to supporting people in need of help.

But there are also immigrants who enter the country illegally in search of work or to commit some crimes. Naturally, it is Iran's practice to support those in need of support, but people who do not need support and whose presence in the country is illegal should return to their own country.

One of the government's policies is to identify economic opportunities for refugees and foreign immigrants in the country. Therefore, the government is trying to identify the fields and job opportunities for the immigrants and to think of a plan so that these people can get to work quickly.

Born in Bandar Abbas, in southern Iran, Sadeghi, 44, is one of the most popular singers of pop music in the country.

He got famous with his hit song “Black is the Color of Love”. His first official album came into the market in 2006 and so far, he has released 10 albums officially including “Black Shirt,” “World, Hold On,” and “That’s It” among others. He has also recorded numerous singles and unofficial albums which are available online as well.

Besides singing, Sadeghi also plays the guitar in his concerts while seated, but as he is physically challenged, he must use a cane when standing.

As an infant (one year and a half), a doctor hit a nerve while injecting on his leg which caused not only damage to his leg but his entire nervous system. At first, he was completely paralyzed but he eventually gained the use of almost all his muscles except for those in his legs.

He has performed live concerts in different cities around Iran and other countries, including Germany, Sweden, the UK, and the U.S.