In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified occupational safety and health (OSH) Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 115 (radiation protection), 119 (guarding of machinery), 127 (maximum weight), 155 (OSH), 161 (occupational health services), 167 (OSH in construction), 176 (OSH in mining) and 187 (promotional framework for OSH) together.

The Committee takes note of the supplementary information on the ratified OSH Conventions provided by the Government in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

The Committee also notes the observations of the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK) on the application of Conventions Nos 155 and 161, received on 31 August 2020, the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on the application of Conventions Nos 155, 167, 176 and 187, received on 16 September 2020, the observations of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TISK) on the application of Conventions Nos 115, 119, 127, 155, 161, 167, 176 and 187, received on 29 September 2020, and the observations of the Confederation of Public Servants Trade Unions (MEMUR-SEN) on the application of Convention No. 155, communicated with the Government’s supplementary report. In addition, the Committee notes the Government’s responses to the observations of the ITUC and the KESK, received on 4 November 2020. The Committee proceeded with the examination of the application of Conventions Nos 115, 119, 127, 155, 161, 167, 176 and 187 on the basis of the supplementary information received from the Government and the social partners this year, as well as on the basis of the information at its disposal in 2019.

COVID-19 measures. The Committee notes the observations of the TISK concerning measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the dissemination of general and sector-specific OSH and COVID-19 information by the General Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health, and measures taken by employers’ organizations and their member companies in the metal and textile sectors, such as the distribution of personal protective equipment. The Committee also notes the observations of the ITUC alleging that contagions and deaths due to COVID-19 have become worryingly predominant in factories. In this regard, the ITUC refers to: (i) the situation in a fish company where more than 1,000 employees allegedly work without preventive measures; and (ii) the alleged lack of preventive and protective measures for workers in the construction sector, and the dismissal of workers who raise concerns about OSH issues. The Committee notes the Government’s response to the ITUC’s observations regarding the actions it has taken in the COVID-19 context, including legislative changes and the provision of guidance materials, taking into account comparative practices. The Government states that necessary procedures regarding certain complaints duly made by employees have been carried out by the competent authorities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the developments in this respect, including on the measures taken to ensure the application in practice of the ratified OSH Conventions in the COVID-19 context.

It notes the observations of the TISK, communicated with the Government’s report in 2019 on Conventions Nos 115, 119, 127, 155, 161 and 187.

Articles 2, 3, 4(3)(a) and 5 of Convention No. 187, Articles 4, 7 and 8 of Convention No. 155, Article 1 of Convention No. 115, Article 16 of Convention No. 119, Article 8 of Convention No. 127, Articles 2 and 4 of Convention No. 161, Article 3 of Convention No. 167 and Article 3 of Convention No. 176. Continuous improvement of occupational safety and health in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and the national tripartite advisory body. National OSH policy and programme. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the tripartite National Occupational Safety and Health Council (National OSH Council) met twice a year, and had the objective of advising the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Security and the Government on developing policies and strategies to improve OSH conditions. It also noted the adoption of the National OSH Policy (III) and National Action Plan for the period 2014–18, which included objectives related to the development of an occupational accident and disease statistics and recording system and the improved performance of occupational health services.

The Committee notes with concern the Government’s indication in its report that the last meeting of the National OSH Council was held in June 2018 and that the review of the National OSH Policy and Action Plan for 2014–18, and the adoption of a new OSH Policy and Action Plan for 2019–23, are still pending. The Committee recalls that the previous Regulations on the National OSH Council of 2013 specified that its composition included 13 representatives from the social partners (and 13 from public institutions), and it notes the Government’s indication that, pursuant to Decree-Law No. 703 of 2018, the National OSH Council will be reorganized and its new members will be nominated by the President. In this regard, the Committee notes the concerns of the KESK that there have been no meetings of the National OSH Council since 2018, which is confirmed by the Government’s response. The Committee also notes the MEMUR-SEN’s observation regarding the need for social dialogue mechanisms to establish a schedule of occupational diseases. The Government also provides information, in response to the Committee’s request, on the progress achieved with respect to the annual performance indicators in each of the seven objectives set out in the National Action Plan 2014–18. The Committee further notes the Government’s reference to tripartite meetings and consultations with sector representatives in the construction and mining sectors, and the observations made by the TISK on the application of Convention No. 155 stating that steps are being taken to improve social dialogue in the area of OSH. The Committee nevertheless notes the KESK’s observation that the National Action Plan 2019–23 has yet to be adopted. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the review undertaken of the National OSH policy and Action Plan for the period 2014–18, including the evaluation of the progress made with the performance indicators. It requests the Government to provide information on the formulation and adoption of a new OSH policy and programme for the subsequent period. It requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the most representative organizations of employers and workers in this respect. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the re-establishment of the National OSH Council and to indicate if it includes representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in respect of the MEMUR-SEN’s observations on the need to establish a schedule of occupational diseases in consultation with social partners.

Articles 2 and 3 of Convention No. 187 and Article 4 of Convention No. 155. Prevention as the aim of the national policy on OSH. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the proposed measures in the National OSH Policy Document III (2014–18) to reduce occupational accidents in the metal, construction and mining sectors.

The Committee welcomes the detailed information provided by the Government, in response to its request, on the application in practice of Conventions Nos 167 and 176, including the number of occupational accidents and fatal occupational accidents. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, while desired levels in the performance indicators in the National Policy Document III (2014–18) have not been reached, efforts to reduce occupational accidents and occupational diseases continue. The Government states that there are plans to revise the relevant targets and indicators in the preparation of the 2019–23 Action Plan to provide for more effective actions, after the restructuring of the National OSH Council. In this regard, the Committee also welcomes the information provided by the Government concerning several activities in the construction sector to reduce occupational accidents and the Government’s reference to the imminent launch of a major project to improve OSH in the mining sector. In addition, the Committee notes the observations of the TISK concerning the publication of two communications on major industrial accidents in June and July 2020. The Committee notes, however, with concern the Government’s indication that, in 2017, there were 587 fatal occupational accidents in the construction sector and 86 such accidents in the mining sector. The Committee also notes that, according to the ITUC, the number of fatal occupational accidents has increased in 2020 compared to 2019, with the main causes of fatalities being crush syndrome, traffic-related incidents and falls. In this respect, the Committee notes the Government’s response that the number of accidents should not be examined in isolation, but should be evaluated over the years, against OSH conditions and the number of employees in the country. The MEMUR-SEN also alleges the existence of insufficiencies regarding various aspects of the national OSH system, and a high number of industrial accidents per day. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in respect of the MEMUR-SEN’s observations. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to take measures to reduce occupational accidents in the sectors and workplaces where workers are particularly at risk (particularly in the metal, mining and construction sector and where workers use machinery). It requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the number of occupational accidents, including fatal occupational accidents, in all sectors and workplaces. It also requests the Government to provide information regarding occupational diseases, including the number of cases of occupational disease recorded disaggregated, if possible, by sector, age group and gender.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

[The Government is asked to reply in full to the present comments in 2021.]