As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in seasonal agriculture in Türkiye, a training programme for agricultural labour intermediaries was held in Şanlıurfa on 23-24 December 2025.
The training was organized within the framework of two projects implemented by the ILO Office for Türkiye: An Integrated Model for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Seasonal Agriculture in Hazelnut Harvesting in Türkiye
," funded by the Association of the Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of Europe (CAOBISCO), and the "Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in Seasonal Hazelnut Harvesting in Türkiye" project, funded by Ferrero.
The programme opened with remarks by Ayşegül Özbek Kansu, Senior Project Coordinator at the ILO Office for Türkiye, Turan Türk, Labour Expert from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Onur Torun, Secretary General of the Pikolo Association. Speakers highlighted the critical role agricultural labour intermediaries play in improving working conditions in seasonal agriculture and in the fight against child labour.
Organized in cooperation with the ILO's implementing partner Pikolo Association, the two-day training addressed the structural challenges of seasonal agriculture, explored solution-oriented approaches, and shared good practices applicable in the field. Prof. Dr. Murat Gülcan, consultant to the Pikolo Association, provided an overview of key challenges in the agricultural sector and presented policy and implementation recommendations to support the prevention of child labour.
A dedicated session on occupational safety and health (OSH) in agriculture featured Ertan Uzunçakmak, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, who discussed the risks faced by seasonal agricultural workers and measures to mitigate these risks. Ayşegül Özdemir, representing the Turkish Employment Agency, delivered a presentation on the legal framework and obligations of agricultural labour intermediaries.
The training aimed to increase awareness among agricultural labour intermediaries, one of the key actors in combating child labour, strengthen compliance with legal responsibilities, and enhance the effectiveness of efforts to eliminate child labour in seasonal agriculture. Participants also discussed the importance of establishing sustainable and traceable systems to support long-term impact.
A certification process is planned for participants who successfully completed the training, to be carried out by the ILO with technical support from the implementing partner. This process aims to promote responsible practices and further contribute to preventing child labour through the active engagement of agricultural labour intermediaries.
Guided by the principles of social dialogue, the ILO continues to pursue a holistic and multi-stakeholder approach in cooperation with public institutions, civil society organizations, and social partners to eliminate child labour in seasonal agriculture in Türkiye.
