In her article for Equal Times, journalist Marga Zambrana reveals a grim reality: Turkey holds one of the highest rates of work-related deaths both in Europe and globally. Her investigation sheds light on systemic issues in workplace safety and labor protections.
Photo: Marga Zambrana
Turkey faces a grave and persistent workplace safety crisis, with one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities in the world. In 2024, only 1.48% of workers who died in work-related accidents were union members, leaving the vast majority of victims without crucial protections. This disparity underscores the vulnerability of Turkey’s workforce, particularly in high-risk industries like construction, agriculture, and services.
In her article for Equal Times Marga Zambrana demonstrates that the construction sector remains the most dangerous in the country. Common causes of death include falls from heights, reflecting a systemic neglect of basic safety measures. The problem has been particularly acute in earthquake-affected regions such as Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, where reconstruction efforts have proceeded under hazardous conditions with little regard for worker safety.
Agriculture is another sector plagued by high mortality rates. Many agricultural workers are employed informally, without access to union representation or labor protections. For children employed in agriculture, the risks are even higher. The issue of child labor in Turkey remains critical, with 60 to 70 child deaths from workplace accidents recorded annually, though official statistics report only a small fraction of this figure.
Several factors drive the crisis in workplace safety. Employers frequently prioritize profits over the well-being of their workers, often neglecting basic protective measures. Workers are sometimes forced to choose between maintaining their livelihoods or risking their safety. Oversight is minimal; in 2023, inspections covered just 0.4% of workplaces, highlighting the government’s failure to enforce safety standards. Low union membership exacerbates the issue. Fewer than 10% of Turkish workers are unionized, and in the construction industry, that figure drops to less than 5%. This lack of collective representation leaves most workers exposed to dangerous practices and without recourse to demand better conditions.
Migrant workers, who constitute a significant portion of Turkey’s labor force, are among the most vulnerable. Turkey is home to 3.5 million migrants, many of whom work in informal, hazardous jobs. Their lack of legal protections and precarious status heighten their risk of workplace accidents. Many fatalities among migrants, undocumented workers, and informal employees go unreported, complicating efforts to address the issue.
The impact of anti-unionism
Trade unions emphasize that enforcing existing laws would significantly reduce workplace fatalities. Unionized workplaces consistently report fewer accidents, but low union membership and widespread anti-union practices limit their impact. Transparency is another crucial issue. Activists argue that accurate labor statistics would reveal the true extent of the crisis and help shape effective policies. Without such data, many workplace deaths remain hidden, and necessary reforms are delayed.
The government’s lack of accountability and prioritization of business interests over worker safety have perpetuated the crisis. Efforts to address the issue have been insufficient, leaving Turkey’s workers exposed to preventable risks.
This article has been published at Equal Times. You can see the full article in the link.