Türkiye and ILO Launch €5.3 Million Drive to Curb Child Labor

Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu spoke at the opening of an ILO project on eliminating the worst forms of child labor in Ankara, noting that child labor in Türkiye has fallen by half since 1992. He called on nations to work together on the issue and stressed the need to shield children from drug trafficking, prostitution, terrorism, and crime.

Hansjoerg Kretschmer, head of the European Commission Delegation to Türkiye, said one in six children is engaged in labor, and one in eight works under the harshest conditions. He argued that tackling unemployment and domestic violence are key steps toward reducing child labor.

The joint EU-ILO project targets seven cities: Cankiri, Elazig, Erzurum, Kastamonu, Ordu, Sinop, and Van. It will focus on working children aged 6 to 17, those at risk of being pushed into work, and their families. Funded by the EU and administered by the ILO's office in Türkiye, the two-year initiative carries a budget of 5.3 million euros, with a goal of reducing child labor by 2015.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in April 2006, in its own words.