Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Türkiye (Ratification: 2001)

The Committee notes the observation of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TİSK) received on 28 October 2016.

Article 6 of the Convention. Programme of action. The Committee notes the Communication of the TİSK stating that the Strategy Instrument for Coordinating Child Protection Services (2014–19) was adopted in 2013, within the framework of the National Strategy on the Rights of Children and its Action Plan (2013–17).

The Committee notes the Government’s information according to which the National Employment Strategy Action Plans (2014–23) set a goal to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, particularly work in the streets, heavy and hazardous work in industry, seasonal, travelling and temporary agricultural work by 2023 and to reduce child labour below 2 per cent in other fields. The Committee also notes that, within the framework of the investment programme 2012–14 contributing to implement the Time-bound Framework of National Policy and Programme for Preventing Child Labour (2005–15), child labour monitoring units were established within the provincial directorates of labour and employment agencies of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) in five pilot provinces (Adana, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, and Ordu). The Committee further notes that, following the end of the Time-bound Framework (2005–15), studies have been launched to update the document with a new name of “National Programme” and the implementing Action Plan, which was planned to be published in October 2016. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the application of the National Strategy on the Rights of Children and Action Plan (2013–17) and the National Employment Strategy Action Plans (2014–23) regarding the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether the updated National Programme for prevention of child labour and its action plan has been adopted, and to provide information on its application in practice once adopted.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Children working in the furniture sector and other industrial sectors. The Committee previously noted the results of a survey on the worst forms of child labour and the communication from the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ) indicating that children continued to be engaged in work in the furniture industry in some provinces. The Committee also noted that the annexes of the Child Employment Regulation, 2013, do not permit any work of children in furniture making or in the furniture industry.

The Committee notes the Government’s clarification that, according to the Child Employment Regulation 2013, furniture manufacturing is not on the list of permissible types of work and thus is prohibited for children and young persons. The Government also indicates that, from 2013–16, the Presidency of Labour Inspection Board conducted scheduled inspections at 172 workplaces in the furniture manufacturing in two provinces, including undertakings with less than 50 employees, and that no violations were detected regarding the employment of children.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. Children living or working on the streets. The Committee previously noted the statement by TÜRK-İŞ that child labour carried out by street children was becoming increasingly widespread in Turkey, and that these children performed heavy and dangerous work, dropped out of school, and were victims of neglect and exploitation. TÜRK-İŞ indicated that there were insufficient economic resources allocated to addressing the phenomenon of street children, and that greater efforts are needed to address this problem. The Committee noted the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Family and Social Policies was implementing an integrated service model for children living and working on the street. Mobile teams had been established, consisting of police officers, psychologists and social workers, with the purpose of locating children and ensuring that they are sent to institutions where care is provided. The Government indicated that between 1 January 2011 and 1 July 2013, legal action was taken with regard to 29 children who were being made to work on the streets.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that the National Employment Strategy Action Plans (2014–23) set a goal to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including street work. The Government also indicates that, under the National Strategy on the Rights of Children and its Action Plan (2013 17), social service centres were established by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in all provinces, in order to provide protective and preventive assistance for the children working on the streets or under risk, as well as counselling services for their families. Measures have also been taken to strengthen law enforcement, including through the establishment of mobile teams on the street. Moreover, the families of children detected to be employed on the streets due to poverty are provided with economic and social support services. Measures are also taken to ensure the reintegration of children into the education system. The Committee further notes that the Circular “Prevention of Activities Disrupting Public Order” 2014 provides for a judicial process applied to individuals who use children for begging in accordance with Article 229 of the Penal Code. Taking due note of the measures taken by the Government, the Committee requests the Government to continue its efforts to protect children who live and work on the streets from the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on the legal action taken against those responsible for making children work on the street, including the number of prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed in this regard.