14-year-old apprentice dies in workshop explosion
Tunç Çam, who was reportedly working as an apprentice in Samandağ, lost his life in an explosion at an auto air conditioning repair shop. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
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In the Samandağ district of Hatay, 14-year-old Tunç Çam lost his life in an explosion that occurred at the auto air conditioning repair shop where he was reportedly working as an apprentice.
The incident occurred when an explosion took place in the engine compartment while Çam was performing vehicle maintenance. It was stated that a piece that broke off during the explosion struck Çam in the head, and he died at the scene. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
According to the information provided, it was alleged that the repair shop where Tunç Çam was employed did not have a license and that the child was being employed off the books. These allegations are expected to be examined as part of the investigation.
CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE REFORM FROM EĞİTİM SEN
The Eğitim Sen Hatay Samandağ Branch reacted to the normalization of child labor in a statement regarding Çam's death. The statement argued that child labor is being turned into a "tool for profit" in businesses of various scales.
In the union's statement, attention was drawn to the regulations regarding child and young workers in Article 71 of Labor Law No. 4857, noting that the current definitions can create legal loopholes instead of preventing the employment of children. Eğitim Sen emphasized that the law should be reorganized to protect children.
The Hatay branch of Eğitim Sen also stated that Çam's death was the result of a system that detaches children from their right to education and directs them to workplaces. The statement noted that the primary duty of the state and the Ministry of National Education is not to view children as cheap labor, but to provide a qualified, equal, and inclusive educational environment.