Child labor in Turkey (2003-2024): An overview of work-related risks

BackgroundChild labor remains a significant issue globally and in Turkey, while the occupational risk faced by child laborers has been ignored.ObjectiveThis study aims to provide a comprehensive examination of occupational accidents, occupational diseases, permanent incapacity, and fatal accidents among child laborers in Turkey, focusing on the effects of national occupational health and safety law and age-specific differences in accident incidence.MethodsA retrospective observational analysis was conducted using official Social Security Institution datasets. Incidence rates of occupational accidents (IR_OA), occupational diseases (IR_OD), permanent incapacity (IR_PI), and fatal accidents (IR_FA) were calculated. The before law (2003-2012) and after law (2013-2024) outcomes were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The age differences analysis was examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and segmented regression analysis was used to assess trends after the law.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in IR_OA (p = 0.003) and IR_FA (p = 0.004) between the periods before and after the law. Segmented regression further indicated that the legislation was associated with a significant after the law trend in IR_OA (p = 0.002). Occupational accidents also differed by age (p = 0.001), with the highest risk among 17-year-old child laborers and a progressive increase across age groups.ConclusionsThe findings show that legislative reforms have altered the distribution of occupational accidents among child laborers. Yet, the continuing rise in accident rates indicates that regulations alone are insufficient. Enhancing child labor safety requires coordinated social policies and age-sensitive preventive measures.