137 workplace deaths recorded in Turkey in November
At least 137 people were killed in work-related accidents in Turkey in November and 1,772 were killed in the first 11 months of 2023, according to a report from the country’s Workers’ Health and Work Safety Assembly (İSİG). The most common cause of work-related deaths was falling from heights in November, followed by being crushed under heavy equipment and traffic accidents.
Duvar English
At least 137 people have lost their lives in workplace accidents in Turkey in November, according to a report released by the country’s Workers’ Health and Work Safety Assembly (İSİG) on Dec. 6.
The İSİG dedicated the report to the Palestinian people and the workers who resist for their rights and take actions all over Turkey.
The report compiled the data from local news outlets, occupational safety specialists, workplace doctors and unions.
The report revealed that the number of workers who died while on the job in Turkey in the first 11 months of 2023 was 1,772.
The highest number of deaths occurred in the construction sector in November, with 40 workers losing their lives. The agriculture and forestry sector followed the construction sector with 17 deaths.
The most common cause of work-related deaths was falling from heights, which claimed 27 lives. It was followed by the reason of being crushed by heavy equipment, with 23 workers.
Children were also among the workers that died. At least two child workers between the ages of 15-17 died in the workplace.
There were seven refugees/migrants among the workers who lost their lives in November in Turkey.
Turkey has been criticized for its failure to prevent workplace accidents and its poor workplace safety record.
Turkish Law on Workplace Safety and Health was passed in 2012, but labor authorities are widely criticized for not conducting the necessary inspections and taking sufficient precautions to protect workers.