ILO Introduces “ILO-IOE Guidelines on Combating Child Labour for Companies” to Private Sector Representatives
An informative seminar on the historical process and the current status of human rights in the business world was organised for representatives of private sector Black Sea Exporters' Association members.
5 January 2024
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ANKARA (ILO News) – Awareness-raising training was provided to private sector representatives as part of the An Integrated Model for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in Seasonal Agriculture in Hazelnut Agriculture in Türkiye and the project Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in Seasonal Agriculture in Hazelnut Harvesting in Türkiye. – a collaborative endeavor of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. A total of 46 people from various companies participated in the online meeting, which was held on 22 December, 2023.
The goal of the training, which was organised by the ILO and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), was to disseminate the “Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business”, prepared in 2015 in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and highlights the need for improvements in the access of workers to their rights in the workplace and to protect workers from human rights violations.
Also on the agenda were items on the relevant ILO conventions, national and international developments, and the European Union Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which were discussed by the representative of the hazelnut company members of the Black Sea Exporters' Associations. Furthermore, the participating businesses were able to provide feedback on the topics that they wish to see covered in more detail in future seminars and training sessions.
The seminar was led by ILO Consultant Özgür Çetinkaya, whose initial focus was on the business world and human rights, including details of recent advances in these areas. The meeting continued with an explanation of the framework and key features of the Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business, including how the guide was developed, its distinctiveness from other manuals, the actions expected from companies in matters related to child labour, as outlined in the guide, and other significant documents addressing the issue of child labour. Finally, a joint reflection session was held to discuss the opportunities open to Turkish businesses, as well as the challenges they face when applying the Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business.
In the evaluations part of the programme, it was stated that encouraging hazelnut export companies to exchange information about their activities and organising trainings for farmers would contribute to the effective use of resources.
In 2024, the ILO Turkiye Office will continue to provide similar trainings at regional and national levels, allowing businesses to take an active role in combating child labour as a primary human rights issue.
The goal of the training, which was organised by the ILO and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), was to disseminate the “Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business”, prepared in 2015 in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and highlights the need for improvements in the access of workers to their rights in the workplace and to protect workers from human rights violations.
Also on the agenda were items on the relevant ILO conventions, national and international developments, and the European Union Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which were discussed by the representative of the hazelnut company members of the Black Sea Exporters' Associations. Furthermore, the participating businesses were able to provide feedback on the topics that they wish to see covered in more detail in future seminars and training sessions.
The seminar was led by ILO Consultant Özgür Çetinkaya, whose initial focus was on the business world and human rights, including details of recent advances in these areas. The meeting continued with an explanation of the framework and key features of the Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business, including how the guide was developed, its distinctiveness from other manuals, the actions expected from companies in matters related to child labour, as outlined in the guide, and other significant documents addressing the issue of child labour. Finally, a joint reflection session was held to discuss the opportunities open to Turkish businesses, as well as the challenges they face when applying the Child Labour Guidance Tool for Business.
In the evaluations part of the programme, it was stated that encouraging hazelnut export companies to exchange information about their activities and organising trainings for farmers would contribute to the effective use of resources.
In 2024, the ILO Turkiye Office will continue to provide similar trainings at regional and national levels, allowing businesses to take an active role in combating child labour as a primary human rights issue.