Section 1: Report
The Occupational Health and Safety Assembly released a report on the occasion of the International Day of Migrants on December 18. The report states that at least 828 migrant/refugee workers have lost their lives in the last 10 years. The report argues that it is the employers and government policies that impoverish us and cause unemployment. The following findings are included in the report:
* Firstly, in the reports, the unified concept of migrant/refugee workers is used. This is because the traditional concept used by the labor movement is “migrant worker,” but in present-day Turkey (and Europe), the main determinant of this situation is “refugeeism” resulting from wars (Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine for Europe). In this sense, we believe that using only the concepts of migrant worker or refugee worker would be insufficient.
* When we look at the years, we were able to identify an average of 83 migrant/refugee work-related murders each year. Considering all work-related fatalities, this accounts for 4.41% of the deaths.
* When we examine the countries of origin of migrant/refugee workers who died in work-related accidents, 51% are Syrians and 18% are Afghans. This shows that seven out of ten deaths consist of workers who have become refugees due to wars, highlighting how wars have displaced millions of people and turned them into workers.
* Looking at the sectors they work in, we see that migrant/refugee work-related murders are concentrated in agriculture (29%) and construction (25%) sectors. Migrant/refugee workers, who are seen as “disposable workers” by employers, are employed in these sectors under extremely harsh conditions, with long working hours, the lowest wages, and without any occupational health and safety measures. We should also add general tasks to these two sectors (such as scrap and waste paper collection, domestic work, etc.). Deaths are also quite high in all industrial sectors (21%) (especially in textiles, metal, and food industries). Similar precarious working conditions prevail in the industrial sector as well.
* The report draws attention to the fact that the death rate of child workers and female workers among migrant/refugee workers is 9%, which is twice the rate of child worker deaths and half the rate of female worker deaths compared to all work accidents. When looking at the cities where the deaths occurred, the highest number of deaths were identified in Istanbul, Şanlıurfa, Konya, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Antalya, and Mersin, respectively. According to the report, these cities are not only centers of industry and agriculture, but also places with intensive construction activities.
* On the other hand, let us make a parenthesis for deaths in the transportation and ship/shipyard industries. We record the deaths in these two sectors if they occur on Turkish soil, in shipyards or territorial waters, or in transportation vehicles (ships, trucks) where Turkish law applies. However, we cannot determine the legal status of workers (which country the deaths fall under) completely.
* In the agricultural sector, excessive transportation of workers in inappropriate minibusses and tractor trailers, falling from heights due to lack of safety measures in construction sites, explosions, burns, crushes, and poisonings in the industrial sector, and violence against migrant/refugee workers (sometimes between migrant workers in workplaces) are the main causes of death.
Section 2: ESG Risks
1. Occupational Safety and Health:
The high number of occupational murders raises concerns about the lack of proper safety measures and protocols in place for immigrant and refugee workers. This poses a risk to their physical well-being and highlights the need for improved occupational safety standards.
2. Labor Rights Risks:
The exploitation of migrant/refugee workers, including long working hours, low wages, lack of proper working conditions, and inadequate protection of labor rights, poses risks related to compliance with labor laws and human rights.
Section 3: Vulnerable Groups
– Migrant/Refugee Workers: Migrant and refugee workers are particularly vulnerable to ESG risks due to their marginalized status and the challenges they face in terms of employment conditions, legal protections, and access to healthcare and social services. These individuals often face additional challenges due to language barriers, limited access to legal protections, and low socio-economic status.
Section 4: Organizations
– Employers: Companies that employ migrant/refugee workers have a responsibility to ensure their health and safety, provide fair and equitable working conditions, and comply with labor laws and regulations.
– Government: Government policies and regulations play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by migrant/refugee workers and ensuring their rights and protections.
Section 5: Regions
– Istanbul, Şanlıurfa, Konya, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, Ankara, Bursa, İzmir, Antalya, and Mersin: These cities have a high number of work-related deaths among migrant/refugee workers. They are also centers of industrial and agricultural activities, which contribute to the identified ESG risks.
– Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Hatay, etc.: These regions have integrated their industries with northern Syria (including the opening of facilities such as post offices, health centers, vocational schools, etc.), which further exacerbates the vulnerability of migrant/refugee workers.
Specifically:
1. Istanbul:
The city of Istanbul has witnessed the highest number of immigrant and refugee worker deaths between 2013 and 2022. This indicates a potential risk in terms of occupational safety and health practices within the city.
2. Şanlıurfa:
Şanlıurfa ranks second in terms of the number of deaths among immigrant and refugee workers. This suggests a need for increased focus on improving safety measures and protecting the rights of workers in this region.
Section 6: Sectors
– Agriculture: The agricultural sector is characterized by the exploitation of migrant/refugee workers, who face risks related to long working hours, low wages, and inadequate working conditions.
– Construction: The construction sector poses risks to migrant/refugee workers due to the lack of safety measures, leading to accidents and fatalities.
– Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector, including textiles, metal, and food industries, also exposes migrant/refugee workers to hazardous working conditions and health risks.
Section 7: Keywords
– Migrant workers, refugee workers, work-related deaths, health and safety, labor rights, exploitation, compliance, government policies, industrial centers, agricultural centers, vulnerable groups.