Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Türkiye determinedly advancing towards Türkiye becoming a Pathfinder Country within Alliance 8.7 with the support of the ILO
Minister Işıkhan: "With the perspective of protecting human rights in the workplace and promoting decent jobs for individuals, we will hopefully create our Alliance 8.7 road map, which will determine our national priorities by addressing these issues, with your support and participation." ILO Türkiye Director Hassan: “It is a milestone that the Turkish Republic is taking with confidence, determination, and with a sense of responsibility and collaboration. ILO would continue its support for the preparation of 8.7 national roadmap, as well as its implementation, and remains committed to supporting the advancement of social justice in Türkiye.”
26 October 2023
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ANKARA (ILO News) The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS) of Türkiye is progressing with determination towards Türkiye becoming a Pathfinder Country within the context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7 of the United Nations with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This goal aims to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, take urgent and effective measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, and end all forms of child labour by 2025.
As part of Türkiye's Centennial goals, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the ILO organized a National Strategic Workshop to outline the roadmap for SDG 8.7 on October 25, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara, with the participation of participation of H.E Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of MoLSS, Mr. Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye, and Mr. Odoardo Como, Head of Financial Co-operation, and First Secretary at the EU Delegation to Türkiye. The workshop was attended by officials from the ILO and MoLSS, as well as representatives from relevant public institutions, social partners, professional organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The aim was to gather input and suggestions from all stakeholders to determine the steps to be taken moving forward.
Minister Işıkhan, in his opening speech, stated, "One of the two primary objectives of the workshop is the Türkiye’s Centenary Vision, and the other is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which serve as a global reference target. The fundamental mission of sustainable development goals is to reach the 2030 objectives with a 'leave no one behind' approach. Consistent with this perspective, Sustainable Development Goal 8 also aims at decent work and economic growth. Within this context, the specific aim of 8.7 is the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour."
Işıkhan emphasized that they have become a significant guide capable of contributing to the formulation and implementation of global policies for the future of the country's children. He stated, "In Türkiye, the National Program on Elimination of Child Labour, prepared in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions No. 138 and No. 182, has a crucial place in the formation of this knowledge."
Minister stressed that in a country that prioritizes people and invests in the future, there will be no tolerance for child labour, underlining that "Forced labour and human trafficking have no place in our vocabulary." Işıkhan pointed out that a working environment that respects human rights and eliminates child labour cannot be built solely through government institutions. He said, "It is the fundamental key to success that all segments of society and the private sector businesses at the heart of this field embrace this approach and contribute to it."
Minister Işıkhan concluded by saying, "In the framework of this understanding, we will, with your support and participation, create our Alliance 8.7 road map that will determine our national priorities by addressing the issues of protecting human rights in the workplace and promoting decent work. We are also delighted to host this workshop in these meaningful days as we commemorate the 100th year of our Republic."
He then congratulated the Centenary of the Republic and reiterated that the ILO would continue its support for the preparation of 8.7 national roadmap, as well as its implementation, stating that “the ILO remains committed to supporting the advancement of social justice in Türkiye.”
The program began with a keynote speech that outlined the international perspective by Mr. Martin Hahn, Head of Unit at the Partnerships and Advocacy at the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch at the ILO. The workshop continued with panels and working groups focusing on child labour, Forced Labour and Human Trafficking, Due Diligence in Supply Chains and concluded with an evaluation session.
Türkiye aspires to be a Pathfinder Country within the global platform established to implement SDG 8.7 in Alliance 8.7, leading the way for other countries, and advancing achievements in these areas.
They support the acceleration of actions at the national level, engage in strategic planning workshops for Goal 8.7, identify collaboration opportunities, and define national priorities.
Pathfinder Country status is open to all countries, regardless of their development level, as all UN member states have committed to doing more. Currently, there are 21 Pathfinder Countries.
As part of Türkiye's Centennial goals, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the ILO organized a National Strategic Workshop to outline the roadmap for SDG 8.7 on October 25, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara, with the participation of participation of H.E Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of MoLSS, Mr. Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye, and Mr. Odoardo Como, Head of Financial Co-operation, and First Secretary at the EU Delegation to Türkiye. The workshop was attended by officials from the ILO and MoLSS, as well as representatives from relevant public institutions, social partners, professional organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The aim was to gather input and suggestions from all stakeholders to determine the steps to be taken moving forward.
Minister Işıkhan, in his opening speech, stated, "One of the two primary objectives of the workshop is the Türkiye’s Centenary Vision, and the other is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which serve as a global reference target. The fundamental mission of sustainable development goals is to reach the 2030 objectives with a 'leave no one behind' approach. Consistent with this perspective, Sustainable Development Goal 8 also aims at decent work and economic growth. Within this context, the specific aim of 8.7 is the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour."
Işıkhan emphasized that they have become a significant guide capable of contributing to the formulation and implementation of global policies for the future of the country's children. He stated, "In Türkiye, the National Program on Elimination of Child Labour, prepared in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions No. 138 and No. 182, has a crucial place in the formation of this knowledge."
Minister stressed that in a country that prioritizes people and invests in the future, there will be no tolerance for child labour, underlining that "Forced labour and human trafficking have no place in our vocabulary." Işıkhan pointed out that a working environment that respects human rights and eliminates child labour cannot be built solely through government institutions. He said, "It is the fundamental key to success that all segments of society and the private sector businesses at the heart of this field embrace this approach and contribute to it."
Minister Işıkhan concluded by saying, "In the framework of this understanding, we will, with your support and participation, create our Alliance 8.7 road map that will determine our national priorities by addressing the issues of protecting human rights in the workplace and promoting decent work. We are also delighted to host this workshop in these meaningful days as we commemorate the 100th year of our Republic."
ILO Türkiye Director: “The ILO remains committed to supporting the advancement of social justice in Türkiye”
Director of ILO Office for Türkiye Mr. Hassan said, “We gather in this workshop to listen to the commitment as well as the ambition of the Republic of Türkiye to become a pathfinder country in the global Alliance 8.7. It is another good reason to convene the Turkish constituents with the ILO for a new milestone that the Turkish Republic is taking with confidence, determination, and with a sense of responsibility and collaboration.”He then congratulated the Centenary of the Republic and reiterated that the ILO would continue its support for the preparation of 8.7 national roadmap, as well as its implementation, stating that “the ILO remains committed to supporting the advancement of social justice in Türkiye.”
The program began with a keynote speech that outlined the international perspective by Mr. Martin Hahn, Head of Unit at the Partnerships and Advocacy at the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch at the ILO. The workshop continued with panels and working groups focusing on child labour, Forced Labour and Human Trafficking, Due Diligence in Supply Chains and concluded with an evaluation session.
Türkiye aspires to be a Pathfinder Country within the global platform established to implement SDG 8.7 in Alliance 8.7, leading the way for other countries, and advancing achievements in these areas.
What is SDG 8.7?
Currently, there are approximately 160 million children in child labour worldwide, with nearly 50 million adults subjected to modern slavery, including 28 million in forced labour. Goal 8.7 aims to prohibit the worst forms of child labour and end all forms of child labour by 2025. It also seeks to immediately and effectively halt forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking.What is Alliance 8.7?
Alliance 8.7 is a global collaboration established to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by disseminating effective solutions, promoting innovation, enhancing the impact of resources, and strengthening global participation. It serves as a platform for sharing information, showcasing best practices, lessons learned, cooperation, and progress. Alliance 8.7 includes partners, governments, international and regional organizations, labour, employer and business organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.What is a Pathfinder Country?
Pathfinder Countries aim to achieve better results and expedite the attainment of SDG Goal 8.7 by experimenting with new approaches and collaborating with other countries. They commit to developing, adopting, and implementing laws, national action plans, or policies related to child labour, forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking, in line with the core actions outlined in the Durban Call to Action. Pathfinder Countries also pledge to translate public commitments into concrete actions and to adhere to relevant international human rights standards, including international labour standards.They support the acceleration of actions at the national level, engage in strategic planning workshops for Goal 8.7, identify collaboration opportunities, and define national priorities.
Pathfinder Country status is open to all countries, regardless of their development level, as all UN member states have committed to doing more. Currently, there are 21 Pathfinder Countries.