‘At least 1,155 workers lost their lives in the first half of 2021’

"Not an accident, but homicide" - Image: bianet

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Republican People's Party (CHP) Niğde MP Ömer Fethi Gürer has announced that at least 2,427 workers lost their lives in Turkey throughout 2020 while at least 1,155 workers died in the first half of 2021.

Noting that seasonal agricultural workers have several road accidents in summer and the casualties are frequently reported in these incidents, the main opposition MP has said, "There are nearly 1 million seasonal agricultural workers in our country. The working conditions of these people working in difficult conditions must be improved and the practices oriented towards solving their problems must be put into effect as soon as possible."

Underlining that "one must not be a mere onlooker to the tragedy unfolding every year," CHP's Ömer Fethi Gürer has said, "In order to ensure that the journey of seasonal agricultural workers for their daily bread will not be their last journey, it must be made sure that they no longer travel in unsuitable vehicles and in unsafe conditions. It also must be ensured that their accommodation and moving conditions are arranged in such a way that they comply with humane living conditions."

According to the report of the MP, occupational homicides in 2020 were most frequently encountered in the sectors of agriculture and forestry, construction and road building and healthcare and social services, respectively.

When the occupational homicides in 2020 are considered in terms of their sectors, 442 were workers (224 farmers and 228 workers) in agriculture and forestry, 335 were workers in construction and road building and 330 were workers in healthcare and social services.

When they are considered in terms of their causes of death, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was on top of the list as 741 workers died of the virus. While 388 workers lost their lives in road and service vehicle accidents, 296 workers died by being trapped and/or crushed.

1,155 deaths in six months

The report of CHP MP Gürer has shown that at least 1,155 workers died in Turkey in the first six months of 2021. Of these workers, 159 were working in the sector of agriculture and forestry and 150 were working in construction and road building. When the causes of death are considered, it is seen that 34 percent of the workers' deaths occurred due to COVID-19.

Gürer has also noted that at least 11 citizens committed suicide in June and 13 citizens committed suicide in May due to "debts and unemployment."

Seasonal agricultural workers

Referring to the reports of the Health and Safety Labor Watch and the news reported in the press, CHP Niğde MP has indicated that in the first seven months of 2021, 12 accidents were reported in the local and national press; while seven seasonal agricultural workers lost their lives in these accidents in agriculture and forestry, 120 people were wounded.

In July, five separate accidents happened; while one seasonal agricultural worker died, 59 workers were wounded.

February 18, 2021 - On their way back from Mersin to Van, seasonal agricultural workers had a road accident; three people on the bus died.

February 18, 2021 - A bus carrying seasonal agricultural workers from Mersin to their home city Van rolled over, wounding 12 people.

April 22, 2021 - A minibus with agricultural workers on board rolled over in Konya province, claiming the lives of two people and wounding six others.

May 5, 2021 - A minibus carrying agricultural workers in Osmaniye province had an accident, leaving 16 people injured.

May 19, 2021 - A minibus with seasonal agricultural workers on board had an accident in Sivas. Five people were wounded, two seriously.

May 24, 2021 - In the district of Çay in Afyonkarahisar, a light commercial vehicle with seasonal agricultural workers on board rolled over. While seven people lost their lives, five people were injured.

Jun 29, 2021 - Three vehicles were involved in a road accident in Ödemiş, İzmir; the driver of the tractor lost his/her life at the hospital where s/he was taken while 17 seasonal agricultural workers were injured.

July 6, 2021 - A small lorry carrying seasonal agricultural workers in Mersin hit an electric pole and rolled over, leaving 11 people wounded.

July 10, 2021 - A small lorry with seasonal agricultural workers on board rolled over in Malatya's Darende and wounded seven people.

July 12, 2021 - In the district of Yerköy in Yozgat, a minibus carrying seasonal agricultural workers rolled over, leaving 10 workers injured.

July 15, 2021 - A minibus carrying seasonal agricultural workers and a small lorry crashed in Afyonkarahisar; 17 people were injured.

July 22, 2021 - In the district of Ereğli in Konya province, a minibus carrying agricultural workers rolled over and fell on the ditch. While one person died in the accident, 14 people were wounded.

(DŞ/SD)