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4 clusters · 10 sources · 26 days · First seen · Last updated

Occupational fatalities and child labor in Turkey

Overview

Reports from the Health and Safety Labour Watch Turkey (İSİG) indicate a significant rise in occupational fatalities and child labor deaths in Turkey.

In the first nine months of 2026, at least 1,736 workers died in work-related incidents. This period marked the first time since İSİG began recording data in 2013 that monthly fatalities exceeded 200 for five consecutive months. In September alone, fatalities were estimated between 226 and 273 individuals. High-risk sectors included construction, agriculture, transportation, and municipal work. Notably, 97 percent of those who died were not members of a trade union.

Regarding child labor, data for the 2025-2026 academic year shows at least 95 child workers died, a 32% increase from the 72 fatalities recorded in the previous period. Of these, 28 were aged 5-14 and 67 were aged 15-17. Agriculture remains the most lethal sector for children, accounting for 39% of these deaths, followed by industry (17%) and construction (14%). Geographically, Antalya recorded the highest number of fatalities, followed by Urfa and Mersin. Among the deceased children, 14 were refugees or migrants from countries including Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Saadet Party officials have attributed the rise in child labor to poverty, income inequality, the high cost of living, and informal employment. They have called for strengthened social supports and increased inspections to prevent children from entering hazardous workplaces.

Entities

Ahmet Özkul · Occupational Health and Safety Assembly · Saadet Partisi · Health and Safety Labour Watch Turkey · İSİG Assembly

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Turkey reports 1,736 workplace fatalities in first nine months

    Turkey has seen at least 1,736 workplace fatalities in the first nine months of the year, with monthly deaths exceeding 200 for five consecutive months, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Assembly.

  2. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Turkey child labor fatalities rise to 95 in one year

    Saadet Party officials report that 95 children died due to child labor in Turkey between September 2025 and August 2026, an increase from the previous year, citing poverty and economic inequality as root causes

  3. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Child labor deaths in Turkey rise by 32% in 2025-2026 period

    A report by the İSİG Assembly shows child labor deaths in Turkey rose by 32% during the 2025-2026 academic year, with 95 fatalities reported, primarily in the agricultural sector.

  4. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Turkey reports 1,509 worker deaths in first eight months of 2026

    At least 226 workers died in Turkey in August 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,509. Fatalities included 15 minors and several migrant workers, with construction being the deadliest sector.

Sources

cumhuriyet.com.tr · gazetezebra.com.tr · gaziantepsabah.com · habereguven.com · konyapostasi.com.tr · nigdehaber.com.tr · noktahaberyorum.com · stockholmcf.org · yenicaggazetesi.com.tr · yurtsever.org.tr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history