In Turkish Labour Law, the concepts of “Child Labor” and “Young Worker” are defined in the Labor Law No. 4857. Accordingly, young worker refers to “an employee who has completed the age of 15, but has not completed the age of 18”, and the concept of “child worker” refers to “an employee who has completed the age of 14, has not completed the age of 15 and has completed primary education”.
According to Turkish Labour Law, it is prohibited for a worker who has not yet reached the age of 14 to work. The employment of people who are over the age of 14 but are not over the age of 15 and have completed primary education is subject to strict conditions.
According to our laws, works and jobs that children and young workers can do is limited, but vocational training activities are exempt from this limitation.
Child and young workers, can be employed in jobs that will not interfere with preparations for career selection or participation in vocational training recognized by the Ministry of National Education.
According to the sub-legislation of the Labour Code No. 4857, the concept of “light work” in which children and young workers can be employed is defined as “according to its structure and quality and the special conditions during its performance, the work that is not likely to have a harmful effect on children’s development or health and safety, or does not prevent children from attending school, vocational training or participating in educational programs approved by the competent authorities and benefiting from such activities”.
The child’s and young worker’s safety, health, physical, mental, moral and psychosocial development, personal predispositions and abilities are taken into account during the placement and employment of the child and young worker.
Child and young workers can be employed in jobs that will not hinder school attendance and success at school, or prevent them from preparing for a career choice or participating in vocational training. The proper jobs suitable for child and young children are being enlisted in the relevant sublegislation.
