Health and Safety Labor Council releases report: At least 179 workers lost their lives in August

The Health and Safety Labor Council (İSİG) has highlighted that at least 179 workers lost their lives in work-related homicides in August.

Noting an increase in child and young worker deaths, İSİG stated that the highest number of worker deaths occurred in construction, agriculture, and transportation, which are the most precarious and unorganized sectors. The report stated that two workers lost their lives due to occupational diseases. The report also emphasized that the deaths of three workers were concealed and asked who was responsible.

AT LEAST 7 CHILD WORKERS LOST THEIR LIVES

The report stated, "At least 7 child workers lost their lives this month, including 4 children working in seasonal agriculture, shepherding, and livestock farming, 2 children working in construction, and 1 child working in a hotel. Of course, there are also dozens of children who were injured. Child worker deaths continue to rise. We will address child labor in detail in a report we will release in a few days."

The report, which noted that the increase in deaths of young workers in the 18-25 age group continues, stated that young worker deaths were particularly concentrated in the industrial sector, while other young worker deaths occurred in sectors/professions such as construction, motorcycle courier services, seasonal agriculture, and street work.

HIGHEST NUMBER OF WORKER DEATHS IN CONSTRUCTION, AGRICULTURE, AND TRANSPORTATION SECTORS

Stating that the highest number of worker deaths in August occurred in construction, agriculture, and transportation, which are the most precarious and unorganized sectors, the report said, "Looking at it sectorally, 63 workers lost their lives in industry, 47 in construction, 39 in agriculture, and 30 in the service sector. We would like to point out that worker deaths in the industrial sector have shown a rapid increase, especially this year."

The report continued as follows:

"Deaths that could be prevented with simple measures and low costs continue. 41 workers fell from heights, 28 of whom were in construction. We lost 15 workers to electrocution, 6 of whom were in construction. This situation is an indicator of a lack of precautions, lack of supervision, and lack of rules.

Deaths resulting from occupational diseases are about five times higher than deaths resulting from work accidents, but all of these deaths are hidden. Therefore, deaths resulting from occupational diseases are almost non-existent in our reports. In August, we identified two work-related homicides resulting from occupational diseases. The first is 40-year-old Yunus Kamacı, who contracted silicosis while working in a 'back-alley' sandblasting workshop in Esenyurt in the early 2000s; he had been receiving treatment for years and passed away at the Istanbul (Çapa) Faculty of Medicine Hospital. He was a father of two from Karlıova, Bingöl. The second is 30-year-old Tolga Karagöl, a maritime worker; after working on a ship in Senegal, he returned to his hometown of Perşembe, Ordu, upon the completion of his contract. He was taken to the hospital after falling ill with flu-like symptoms and passed away due to malaria he contracted while working. He was a 2008 engine graduate of Fatsa Maritime Vocational High School and a father of one.

'WORKER DEATHS THAT ARE CONCEALED AND ATTEMPTED TO BE MADE INVISIBLE'

Finally, we want to draw attention to worker deaths that are 'concealed and attempted to be made invisible even if heard of': The first is Sibel Turan, 45-50 years old, Deputy Principal and Turkish Language and Literature Teacher at Istanbul Bahçelievler Prof. Dr. Mümtaz Turhan Social Sciences High School. While trying to fix a malfunction in the curtain for the 'Century of Turkey Education Model' promotional meeting to be held in the school's conference hall, she fell 10 meters onto the stage because the surface she stepped on was drywall.

The second is Zeynep Yılmaz, 29 years old, a Music Teacher at Malatya Battalgazi Yüzüncü Yıl Schools. According to the statement by the Private Sector Teachers' Union, she was dismissed on the grounds that her contract ended because she was pregnant, and she ended her life by committing suicide as a result of the depression she entered.

'SHE ASKED THE MAYOR FOR HELP, AND WHEN REFUSED, SHE COMMITTED SUICIDE'

The third is Nilüfer Altıner, 49 years old, a social market employee at the district municipality in Didim, Aydın. According to reports in local and national media, she was sent to the parks and gardens department two months before her retirement after the elections. She was working under the disabled quota, and because she had only one kidney, she had difficulty working in parks and gardens in approximately 44-degree heat. She met with the Mayor several times, stating that she had difficulty working under the sun with one kidney and asked for his help. When she was refused, she went to lawyers to seek legal support. She ended her life by committing suicide due to what she went through. We ask, why did they die and who is responsible for their deaths?"

News Source: 12punto