At least 394 workers killed in Turkey in 2018: Report
ISTANBUL
At least 394 workers were killed in Turkey in the first three months of 2018, according to a monthly report recently released by a non-governmental organization focused on worker health and safety issues.
Some 144 workers were killed in January, 128 workers were killed in February, and 122 were killed in March, stated the latest report by the Workers’ Health and Work Safety Assembly (İSİGM) published on April 6.
The report was based on data from media reports as well as the relatives and colleagues of workers.
In March, a 15-year-old boy, six women and eight immigrants were killed at work, the report read.
Deaths mostly occurred in the construction, agriculture, transport, trade, metal and mining industries, and only one percent of those killed were registered with a union, it added.
On Jan. 6, the İSİGM published a report saying that 2,006 workers were killed at work throughout 2017. That number marked an increase from 2016, when 1,970 workers were killed in Turkey.
According to the İSİGM, five workers were killed every 24 hours last year. Of the 2,006 workers killed in 2017, 116 were women.
İSİGM is an NGO comprised of workers, workers’ relatives, doctors, engineers, academics, journalists and lawyers who deal with labor issues.
In its latest report, the group once again requested that thorough investigations are conducted to better prevent workplace diseases and injuries.
On Feb. 14, Turkey’s Labor Ministry announced that 27 workers have been killed in the construction of Istanbul’s third airport since it began in May 2015.
That announcement only came after unconfirmed reports that 400 workers have been killed so far in work accidents at the multi-billion dollar project’s site, operated by the Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA).
