Turkey Leads Europe in Fatal Work Accidents; Experts Call for Systemic Reform

On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Turkey finds itself in a grim position, leading Europe in fatal occupational accidents and ranking high globally. The stark reality is that an average of five workers lose their lives daily in workplace incidents, a statistic that transforms this day of observance into a somber reminder of profound loss rather than a catalyst for change.

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It is quite possible to say that there is a regime of workplace homicides in our country.

Professional organizations are sounding the alarm, demanding a fundamental overhaul of the system and the implementation of robust enforcement mechanisms. The Turkish Chamber of Mechanical Engineers (TMMOB) points out that official figures, such as the mere 128 deaths attributed to occupational diseases in SGK data over 25 years, are woefully inadequate. They assert that the reality is far more dire, with at least 10,000 workers succumbing to occupational diseases annually, according to ILO data. This discrepancy highlights a systemic failure to accurately record and address the pervasive dangers faced by the workforce.

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In a country where an average of five workers die every day, and occupational diseases are largely left unregistered, the problem is no longer individual incidents but a systemic issue.

Emin Koramaz, President of TMMOB, emphasizes that the problem is not isolated but deeply structural. "In a country where an average of five workers die every day, and occupational diseases are largely left unregistered, the problem is no longer individual incidents but a systemic issue," he stated. The weakening of independent oversight bodies and the outsourcing of safety services to private entities have further eroded preventative measures. Koramaz calls for an independent and effective inspection system and stricter, binding sanctions for employers.

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The powers of professional organizations and relevant institutions, including TMMOB, have been restricted, and the outsourcing of occupational health and safety services through common health and safety units has weakened the obligation to take precautions.

Adding to the crisis is the alarming rise in child labor. Dr. Figen Şahpaz of the Turkish Medical Association notes that while only 11 million of Turkey's 27 million workers receive safety services, the number of working children swells to 3 million during summer months. Between 2013 and 2026, at least 852 child laborers died in accidents, with over half occurring in the agricultural sector. This exploitation of young lives, often working long hours under the guise of apprenticeships, is a tragic indictment of the current labor conditions and a clear indicator of the deep-seated structural failures in ensuring basic safety and rights for all workers in Turkey.

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The weakness in supervision exacerbates the situation. While the number of labor inspectors has halved in recent years, only 0.4 percent of workplaces can be inspected.