Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Türkiye (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report and the observations made by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Turkey (TÜRK-IÔ), which were attached to the report.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government to the effect that it envisages using the flexibility clause contained in Article 4 to exclude from the application of the Convention the categories of employment or work which fall outside the scope of the labour legislation. The Committee also notes that the organizations of employers and workers were consulted in this respect and that a Bill on child labour is currently being drafted. In its comments, TÜRK-IÔ indicates that Convention No. 138 should cover all children without exception. The Committee observes that the Government’s intention to exclude from the application of the Convention the categories of employment or work which fall outside the scope of the labour legislation appears to be overly vague and ambiguous.

The Committee accordingly requests the Government to indicate the types of work which it intends to exclude from the application of the Convention and to provide information on the consultations held for this purpose with the organizations of employers and workers. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the Act on child labour and hopes that every measure will be taken to reduce the categories of employment or work which the Government intends to exclude from the application of the Convention.

At its next session, the Committee will examine in detail the information provided by the Government in its first report, as well as any other information which it provides concerning the matters raised above.