Turkey child labor fatalities rise to 95 in one year

Saadet Party officials have raised alarms regarding the rising toll of child labor in Turkey. Citing data from the Occupational Health and Safety Council, representatives reported that 95 children lost their lives while working between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. This marks an increase from the 72 fatalities recorded in the previous period.

Party members Mehmet Demirel and Ahmet Özkul identified poverty, income inequality, the high cost of living, and informal employment as the primary drivers of child labor. They argued that addressing the issue requires more than just workplace inspections; it necessitates fundamental changes to the economic and social conditions that force families to rely on their children's income.

To combat this trend, officials called for strengthening social supports, preventing school dropouts, increasing inspections of informal labor, and prioritizing child safety in vocational training. They emphasized that the role of a social state is to empower impoverished families so that children can grow up in safe environments like schools and parks rather than hazardous workplaces.