Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

The Committee notes the observations of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TİSK) communicated with the Government’s report.

Article 1 of the Convention. National Policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Time Bound National Policy and Programme Framework for Prevention of Child Labour (2005–2015) was in the process of being updated, and therefore requested the Government to provide information in this regard, as well as to strengthen its efforts to ensure the elimination of child labour.

The Government indicates in its report that the Time Bound National Policy and Programme Framework for Prevention of Child Labour 2005-2015 was renewed in 2016 under the name “National Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour”, which has been implemented since March 2017, for the period 2017–2023. The main objective of this Programme is to prevent and eliminate child labour, especially the worst forms of child labour. It includes comprehensive measures such as measures to eradicate poverty, to improve the quality and accessibility of education, and to enhance awareness. The Government further indicates that the Monitoring and Evaluation Board for Eliminating Child Labour, which meets twice a year, is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the National Programme and its Action Plan.

The Committee notes the statement in the communication of TISK that the Action Plan associated with the National Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour 2017-2023 contains, in addition to the above measures, measures aimed at implementing and updating legislation; strengthening existing institutional structures and creating new ones; and widening the social protection and social security net. TISK also indicates that a Joint Declaration to Combat Child Labour has been signed by six ministries including the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, seven social partners, and the ILO, in order to ensure that all children are protected from child labour and its worst forms, through access to education, employment of adult family members, and the extension of social protection. In addition, TISK indicates that in the framework of the National Employment Strategy Action Plans (2014–2023), it is provided, inter alia, that (i) annual plans will be developed to combat child labour; (ii) activities will be organised to raise awareness on child labour at the national and local levels, including among families; and (iii) a monitoring system on child labour will be set up to ensure coordination.

In its report formulated under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the Government indicates that units for combating child labour were established in 81 provinces under the Provincial Directorates of Labour and Employment Agency.

The Government states in its supplementary information that a survey on child labour has been conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute and was published on 31 March 2020. The Committee notes from this survey (Statistics on Child 2019 of the Turkish Statistical Institute) that 146 000 children aged 5-14 years, representing 1.1 per cent of this age group, were engaged in economic activities and that 28 per cent of these children (41 000) did not attend school. In addition, the Committee notes that 32 000 children aged 5–11 years, representing 0.4 per cent of this age group, were engaged in economic activities. Children worked in sectors including services and industry (pages 113, 114 and 116). While duly noting the Government’s efforts, the Committee requests it to continue to take measures to ensure the progressive elimination of child labour in all sectors. It also requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour 2017-2023 and its Action Plan, as well as of the National Employment Strategy Actions Plans 2014-2023. Lastly, it requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the units to combat child labour as well as the results achieved.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.