TÜGİS Launches EU and ILO-Backed 'Say No to Child Labor' Project

Ankara – The Turkish Food Industry Employers' Association (TÜGİS) and the Working Life Association have launched a significant initiative, "Big Futures for Small Hands: Say No to Child Labor," aimed at preventing child labor, a major societal issue in Turkey. The project seeks to raise effective awareness and combat child labor with the support of the European Union Delegation to Turkey and a grant provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Over the course of one year, various training and information programs will be organized for all stakeholders in the sector.

TÜGİS, recognized as a representative of new-generation unionism in Turkey, continues its pioneering role in social responsibility alongside activities designed to enhance its members' competitiveness. Within this framework, TÜGİS and the Working Life Association joined the "Project for Strengthening the Capacity of Social Partners and Civil Society Organizations on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work," financed by the European Union and implemented by the ILO. The "Big Futures for Small Hands: Say No to Child Labor" project aims to inform TÜGİS members and all stakeholders within the food ecosystem about preventing child labor, in accordance with international legislation and ILO policies.

Agriculture, Industry, and Services Lead in Child Labor

Commenting on the project, TÜGİS Chairman Kaan Sidar emphasized that child labor remains a significant economic and social problem in Turkey. Defining child labor as the employment of individuals under 18 in jobs that can negatively affect their physical, mental, social, and moral development, Sidar noted that poverty, lack of access to education, refugee status, family pressure, and traditional roles can be among the causes.

720,000 Child Laborers in Turkey Aged 5-17

Kaan Sidar highlighted that, according to statistics, there are approximately 720,000 child laborers aged 5-17 in Turkey. "Agriculture, industry, and the service sector are the most prevalent areas for child labor," Sidar stated. "According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, 30.8% of working children in our country are in agriculture, 23.7% in industry, and 45.5% in the service sector. Marginal jobs like street vending also fall into this category. While 79.7% of working children are in the 15-17 age group, 15.9% are 12-14 years old, and 4.4% are children aged 5-11."

Sidar added, "When child labor is examined by gender, it is seen that male children constitute 70.6% of working children, while female children constitute 29.4%. In summary, this cycle, which begins with child labor, turns into a vicious cycle that deprives children of their developmental opportunities. This brings with it problems such as educational loss, health issues, developmental harm, and the risk of abuse."

"We Will Contribute to Increasing Awareness Against Child Labor"

Addressing child labor from a legal perspective, Kaan Sidar noted, "In Turkey, Labor Law No. 4857 prohibits the employment of children under 15 years of age, with some exceptions. Our country has also become a party to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child in this regard. Furthermore, the Ministry of Family and Social Services implements various action plans in cooperation with the ILO. As TÜGİS, together with the Working Life Association, we will organize training and information programs for all stakeholders in the sector through a one-year project. Additionally, we will contribute to increasing public awareness through various printed materials and social media announcements."

Globally, One in Every 13 Children is Working!

According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, 138 million children worldwide—in other words, one in every 12 children—are currently working as child laborers. Approximately half of these children (around 40%, totaling 54 million) work in hazardous conditions that affect their health and development.

Looking at the regional distribution of child labor, Africa has the highest figures, both proportionally and in absolute numbers, with 86.6 million children and a rate of 21.5%. The Asia-Pacific region comes second in terms of absolute numbers, with 27.7 million children at a rate of 3.1%. In terms of proportion, Latin America and the Caribbean rank second with 5.5%. The remaining child laborer population is distributed among other regions.