Turk-Is' Request for Occupational Health from Minister Vedat Işıkhan

Letter on Occupational Accidents and Workplace Safety

In light of the recent increase in fatal occupational accidents, Türk-İş sent a letter to Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan requesting improvements in working conditions. The letter calls for the necessary precautions to be taken.

Importance of Law No. 6331

In the letter signed by Ergün Atalay, the General President of Türk-İş, and Ramazan Ağar, the Deputy General President, it was stated that the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, which came into force in 2012, represents an important turning point for occupational health and safety in our country. This law aims to ensure the safety of workers, prevent risks, and create safe working conditions.

Increasing Occupational Accidents and Unsafe Working Environments

The letter emphasized that the increasing occupational accidents across Turkey and the dangers faced by workers indicate serious problems with the current occupational health and safety system. The accidents that occurred in many provinces last year and this year reveal the inadequacies in the culture of occupational health and safety.

Deterrent Penalties and Prevention Suggestions

Among the causes of occupational accidents, lack of inspection, informal working, and insufficient penalties were highlighted. It was pointed out that the legal obligations must be effectively monitored to ensure that all workers have access to decent, safe, and healthy working conditions.

The Value of Human Life

The letter expressed that the value of human life cannot be measured in monetary terms and underscored the necessity of taking deterrent measures, including imprisonment. Türk-İş emphasized the importance of making the necessary legislative changes in this regard.