TÜGİS Takes Action Against Child Labor

Turkey Food Industry Employers Association (TÜGİS) and Working Life Association (ÇAHAD) took an important step in combating child labor by launching the "Big Futures for Small Hands: Say No to Child Labor" project. The opening meeting, held at Istanbul Commerce University Sültlüce Campus, was realized with support from the European Union and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

At the project opening, TÜGİS Board Chairman Kaan Sidar, ILO Turkey Director Yasser Ahmed Hassan, Istanbul Commerce University Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek and Working Life Association Chairman Dr. Nurcan Önder, among many stakeholders, delivered important messages.

Turkey Has 720 Thousand Child Workers
In his opening remarks, addressing the scope and impact of child labor, TÜGİS Chairman Kaan Sidar stated that approximately 720 thousand child workers exist in Turkey and made the following statements:
"The child labor rate, which was 15.2% in 1994, declined to 4.4% in 2019. With our current efforts, our target is to bring this rate below 1%. Within the scope of the project, we will inform the stakeholders of the food ecosystem about international regulations, organize training for employers and take concrete steps in combating child labor."

Sidar emphasized that Turkey has made significant progress in combating child labor, noting that the country received the "Model Country" status from the ILO in 2006 and the "Guide Country" status in 2024.

Strong Support from ILO
Speaking at the meeting, ILO Turkey Director Yasser Ahmed Hassan stated that the project aims to strengthen due diligence in supply chains and prevent child labor, making the following assessment:
"Child labor is not merely an individual problem, but a matter of social justice and sustainable development. We welcome this leadership by TÜGİS and ÇAHAD and emphasize the importance of the business world and all stakeholders being part of this process."

Legal and Social Dimensions Discussed
In the second part of the meeting, ÇAHAD Chairman Dr. Nurcan Önder provided information about the training, brochures and final report to be published at the end of the year as part of the project scope. Faculty members from Istanbul Commerce University addressed the legal dimension of child labor and responsibility issues in supply chains.

Önder, referring to international legal regulations, said "Responsibility in supply chains is now legally binding. By raising awareness among our employers, we aim for them to manage this process without loss."

Joint Message: "Small Hands Belong in School"
Istanbul Commerce University Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek included the following in his remarks:
"Our children are the future of our country. Small hands belong not in workplaces, but in schools. This project is the most concrete demonstration of our responsibility to protect children's rights."

Project to Last 12 Months
The project, conducted in cooperation between TÜGİS and ÇAHAD, will run for 12 months and will be supported by training, awareness-raising activities and policy recommendations aimed at preventing child labor in supply chains. Data and recommendations obtained at the end of the project will be shared in a booklet.