Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, stated that in combating child labor was more effective than previous periods and said “We decreased the rate of children employed in economic activities which was 15.2 percent in 1994 to 4.4 percent as a result of the practices we implemented”.

On the occasion that the International Labor Organization (ILO) declared 2021 as the Year for Elimination of Child Labor, Minister SELÇUK made statements about the studies conducted in Turkey.

Noting that the Ministry have been carrying out National Program for Combating Child Labor, which was prepared and implemented in accordance with 2023 Targets for Combating Child Labor, Minister Selçuk said “ILO's declaration of 2021 as the year of combating child labor is very important in terms of raising awareness.

As the Ministry, we are in continuous cooperation with both our national and international stakeholders.

The International Labor Organization and EU are among the institutions we have been cooperating with”.

12 Thousand Children Will be Reached out in 16 Provinces

Reminding that they have implemented various projects with of EU funds, especially for children working in seasonal agriculture in rural areas, Minister SELÇUK stated that they started the Prevention of Child Labor in Seasonal Agriculture project in 2020, which is the most comprehensive initiative ever carried out in the fight against child labor in our country.

Minister SELÇUK emphasized that they will reach out to 12 thousand children in 16 provinces within the scope of the concerned Project.

Underlining that they will also reach family members of children who are employed or under the risk of employment in seasonal agriculture within the scope of the Project, Minister SELÇUK said:

“We will forward our families to vocational training programs in order to improve their life and professional skills.

In addition, we will ensure that agricultural intermediaries, employers and village mukhtars are trained on the negative aspects of child labor in seasonal agriculture and the relevant legislation.”

Units Established in the Provinces to Combat Child Labor

Stating that within the scope of combating child labor, they established Units for Combating Child Labor in provinces where 568 personnel are employed, Minister SELÇUK said, "We also created mobile teams in provinces for children who are forced to work or beg on streets".

Monitoring and Tracking Systems for Child Labor Gathered Under a Single Roof 

Emphasizing that they will also conduct a new practice to monitore the fight against child labor, Minister SELÇUK said: “With the Child Labor Monitoring and Tracking System, information will be gathered under a single roof.

Thus, children who are prevented from entering the working life will continue attending to school and their success will be monitored.

At the same time, information on the current situation of families and children working in seasonal agriculture and their access to public services will be gathered under a single system”.