Blog
November 24, 2023

Title: “The Increasing Issue of Child Labor: Turkey’s Perspective and Global Concerns”


ESG Risk Monitor Report

1. Paraphrased Content:
In commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour, Bendevi Palandöken, the Chairman of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), emphasized the belief that vocational training is essential for children to learn a profession without compromising their future. TESK has undertaken significant initiatives to ensure that children in Turkey who aspire to learn a profession and continue their family legacy receive apprenticeship, journeyman, and master teaching certificates. Palandöken emphasized that these apprentices are not child laborers but rather students who learn a profession from their skilled mentors. The children receive a combination of practical training from master instructors and theoretical education at school, allowing them to pursue both their formal education and vocational skills.

According to the United Nations (UN) classification, the child population comprises individuals aged 0-17. The results of the 2022 Household Labor Force Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) reveal that the labor force participation rate among children aged 15-17 stands at 18.7%. This figure has increased from 16.4% in 2021.

Disturbingly, data from the İSİG Assembly’s occupational homicide reports indicate that at least 616 children lost their lives while engaged in work between 2013 and 2022.

A report published by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF in 2021 reveals a concerning trend. The number of children involved in child labor worldwide has surged by 8.4 million over the past four years, reaching a staggering 160 million.

A report titled “Child Labour: Global 2020 forecasts, trends, and future situation” warns that progress in combating child labor has stagnated for the first time in two decades. Between 2000 and 2016, there was a promising decline of 94 million child laborers. However, the recent report highlights the reversal of this positive trend, with the number of child workers starting to rise again.

2. ESG Risks Deducted from the Article:
– Child labor: The increasing number of children engaged in labor raises concerns about the violation of child rights and their exposure to hazardous working conditions.
– Occupational safety and health: The occupational homicide reports indicate a high number of child fatalities while working, highlighting the need for improved safety measures in the workforce.
– Education: The labor force participation rate among children may impact their access to education and hinder their overall development.

3. Groups of Affected or Vulnerable People:
– Children aged 0-17: The article focuses on the risks faced by children who are involved in labor activities, potentially compromising their education, safety, and well-being.

4. Companies Mentioned and their Roles in ESG Risk:
– Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK): TESK is mentioned as an organization that has taken significant initiatives to ensure children have access to vocational training and apprenticeship programs, aiming to prevent child labor.

5. Keywords:
– Child labor
– Apprenticeship
– Vocational training
– Labor force participation
– Occupational homicide
– International Labor Organization (ILO)
– UNICEF
– Child rights
– Hazardous working conditions
– Occupational safety and health
– Education
– Reversal of progress
– Child fatalities
– Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK)

SOURCE