Improving Workers’ Lives Worldwide
Hazelnuts in Turkey:
Community Profiling Research: Final Report
Report prepared by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) Partnership to Eliminate Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products: Piloting the USDA Guidelines in the Hazelnut Supply Chain in Turkey december 2017 Hazelnuts in Turkey: Community Profiling Research
Table of Contents LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Executive Summary...... 4 FLA: Fair Labor Association 1. INTRODUCTION...... 7 GAP BKİ: Southeast Anatolia Regional Development Administration 1.1. Project Description...... 7 GTHB: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock 1.2. Objectives and Scope...... 8 1.3. Methodology...... 9 HEM: Public Education Center 1.3.1. Research Locations...... 9 ILO: International Labour Organization 1.3.2. Research Methods...... 10 İŞKUR: Turkish Employment Agency 2. researcH FINDINGS: ŞANLIURFA FIELD...... 11 MEB: Ministry of National Education 2.1. Şanlıurfa Field Profile...... 11 MET P: Project for Improvement of Working and Social Lives of Seasonal Migratory Agricultural Workers 2.2. Need-based Assessment of Living and Working Conditions in Şanlıurfa and Harvest Regions...... 13 İ 2.2.1. Health, Social Security, and Employment...... 13 TÜİK: Turkish Statistical Institute 2.2.2. Education and Child Labor...... 16 TZOB: Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers 2.3. Identification of Resources...... 20 2.3.1. Findings Specific to Public Institutions...... 20 TBMM: Turkish Grand National Assembly 2.3.1.1. General Observations...... 20 2.3.1.2. Institutions in the Province and the Services They Provide...... 21 2.3.1.3. Overview of Infrastructure Resources...... 24 3. researcH FINDINGS: BLACK SEA FIELD...... 25 3.1. Service/Survey Area Profile...... 25 3.1.1. Sakarya-Karasu Statistics...... 25 3.1.2. Düzce-Akçakoca Statistics...... 26 3.1.3. Ordu-Kabataş Statistics...... 27 3.1.4. Profile of Interviewees...... 27 3.1.5. Relation of Garden Owners/Producers to Hazelnut Farming...... 28 3.2. Needs Analysis in Context of Relations Between Harvest Actors And Child Labor...... 29 3.2.1. Relations with Seasonal Agricultural Workers...... 29 3.2.2. Child-Labor Perception...... 29 3.2.3. Relations with Agricultural Intermediaries...... 31 3.2.4. Wages and Working Hours...... 31 3.2.5. Working and Housing Conditions...... 32 3.3. Source Identification...... 32 3.3.1. Public Institutions...... 32 3.3.1.1. General Observations...... 32 3.3.1.2. Current Institutions in the Provinces and Services They Provide...... 34 3.3.1.3. Infrastructure Resources in the Districts...... 34 3.3.2. Observations on Available Resources in Villages and Effective Actors...... 35 4. conclusions and recommendations...... 35
References...... 38 Annex 1: Primary Data Collection Modules...... 39 Annex 2: Harvesting Techniques...... 43 Annex 3: Basic Provisions of Agricultural Intermediation Regulation...... 43
Funding for this report was provided by the United States Department of Labor. This material does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does the mention of Photo credits: Cover photo by Larissa Araz. Thanks to Larissa Araz, Sarah Faith, and Ceyda Oner for photos throughout. trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government.
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executive summary into consideration while uninsured. Child labor determining detailed emerges as a natural The Partnership to Prevent Child and Ordu-Kabataş districts. After presenting group profiles and byproduct of this life— Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural a general profile of selected communities breakdowns. Focus an economic necessity, Products: Piloting the USDA Guidelines in and community members (garden owners/ groups in Şanlıurfa were to use the workers’ own Turkey’s Hazelnut Supply Chain, funded by producers), this section details their views supplemented with description. the U.S. Department of Labor–Bureau of on their relations with seasonal workers and family interviews. International Labor Affairs (USDOL-ILAB), was agricultural intermediaries, on living and Considering the state implemented by the Fair Labor Association working conditions during harvest, and on In addition, researchers of this community, this (FLA) in cooperation with Nestlé and its two child labor. These accounts are compared with conducted in-depth report recommends main hazelnut suppliers in Turkey, Balsu and Şanlıurfa field findings whenever appropriate interviews with selected that actors in hazelnut Olam-Progıda. The project seeks to pilot USDA to present a complete picture. The second local public-sector harvesting conduct Guidelines1 in the hazelnut supply chain of part concludes with a discussion about public actors and community a detailed vocational the partner companies by strengthening their actors’ stances on key issues and resources leaders such as teachers needs and capacity internal child- and forced-labor monitoring and available in the region to meet defined needs. and village headmen/ assessment in Şanlıurfa remediation systems. Detailed community maps for eight selected mukhtars to assess (with a special focus villages are provided in the Annex to help with available capacity, needs and resources. on opportunities for women) and support Within the framework of this project, researchers preparations for possible interventions. The researchers also accompanied village vocational education programs for children profiled communities encompassed by the headmen/mukhtars on tours of eight villages aged 13-17. This support should include the project to generate basic understanding of Finally, the report provides recommendations in the Black Sea region to create community creation of public dormitories and provision of the communities, to assess each community’s from communities and target groups to maps. These data were augmented with scholarships. However, priority should be given needs and resources, and to inform the project’s project partners to aid them in refreshing information from secondary sources. to addressing basic needs such as access to 2017 remediation plan. This report presents the strategies and identifying actions. health care, electricity, clean water, and toilets. findings in a fashion that would make it easy Findings Establishment of child-friendly spaces and for field-level actors to gain a clear picture of Objective and Methodology Many actors involved in hazelnut harvesting— summer schools should also be considered. target communities’ needs and resources. The main objectives of community profiling migratory workers, garden owners/producers, research are to determine gaps in the existing agricultural intermediaries, local public Local community leaders and organizations The report is divided into two parts. The first programs of project partners with the aim institutions, community leaders—contribute highlighted the conditions of workers in presents a general field review followed by a of reducing and preventing child labor; to to the complex web of relations between regard to employment relations and child detailed examination of seasonal worker needs identify the needs of local actors developing Şanlıurfa and Black Sea communities falling labor. Research findings strongly indicate a in the Şanlıurfa-Eyyübiye district, with special strategies to mitigate child labor and enhance within the scope of this study. clear awareness of problems at the local level focus on issues such as health care, social employment relations; to identify existing in both in Şanlıurfa and Black Sea provinces. security, employment relations, education, and and potential resources in communities; to Taking the Şanlıurfa seasonal community as Nevertheless, improvement of seasonal child labor. The section also presents an analysis determine the capacities of local actors and a point of entry, this report argues that these workers’ conditions and the prevention of potential and existing resources for Şanlıurfa available opportunities at the local level; and workers inherit issues and problems that shape of child labor are not on these actors’ province, and illustrates the views of public- to receive feedback from local stakeholders on the trajectory of their lives from birth. Poverty, immediate agendas. Because they are not in sector actors on their roles and responsibilities. potential intervention strategies. debt cycles and lack of vocational skills (other full command of their institutional roles and than agricultural), as well as limited vocational responsibilities, they remain passive, citing a The second part of the report focuses on the With these objectives in mind, researchers opportunities, income-generating activities, lack of institutional knowledge, capacity and selected communities in Black Sea locations: conducted focus groups with seasonal workers and access to education, combine to create resources.2 Coordination and collaboration the Sakarya-Karasu, Düzce-Akçakoca and and labor intermediaries in Şanlıurfa and a vicious cycle. Each generation of workers garden owners/producers in the Black Sea inherits the same hardships, including poor region. Factors such as gender, age and, in the living and working conditions and deprivation 2 Some of the interviewed stakeholders were newly appointed in their 1 U.S. Department of Agriculture Guidelines for Eliminating Child and positions. Mass appointments and dismissals regularly take place in the Forced Labor in Agricultural Supply Chains case of garden owners, acreage were taken of basic needs. Workers are unregistered and public sector in the aftermath of 15th of July coup attempt.
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or in the prevention of child labor. They are benevolent and in principle favor positive change, but point out that the hazelnut harvest is too short to implement sustainable solutions.
This report identifies a need to raise hazelnut producers’ awareness about child labor and the need to improve workers’ conditions. It is of critical importance to remind them that they are not passive actors in these matters and to between communities in the Şanlıurfa and engage them in projects and interventions that Black Sea provinces is disconnected and require active cooperation. limited. It should be noted that, for the most part, 1. INTRODUCTION There are immediate steps that can be agricultural intermediaries interact with taken to energize public actors and engage workers on behalf of the producers during them in the key issues. Good starting points the harvest and this bolsters producers’ sense 1.1. Project Description would be to define roles and responsibilities; of passivity. Agricultural intermediaries are encourage the application of existing rules and key actors in a complex web of relationships. The Partnership to Prevent Child and Forced reducing the likelihood of forced labor and regulations as well as the collaboration among They provide “insurance” for both workers and Labor in Imported Agricultural Products: Piloting child labor. concerned parties; and establish databases for producers, guaranteeing that the needs and the USDA Guidelines in Turkey’s Hazelnut communities at risk. expectations of both parties will be met during Supply Chain, funded by U.S. Department of The overall objective of the project is to pilot a their short period of interaction. However, Labor–Bureau of International Labor Affairs comprehensive, sustainable program that Researchers observed that some public most intermediaries are unregistered and (USDOL-ILAB), is implemented by the Fair implements all elements of the USDA Guidelines. actors in the Black Sea region feel suspicious operate outside of government control. As a Labor Association (FLA) in cooperation with about projects (such as this one) targeting result, controversial aspects of their profession, Nestlé and its two main hazelnut suppliers in As a part of this project’s baseline assessment, the seasonal workers. This makes cooperation and such as taking 10 percent commissions from Turkey, Balsu and Olam-Progıda. The project FLA conducted a community profiling exercise collaboration more difficult. In their view, these workers’ wages, remain unchecked. Research seeks to address child and forced labor in the to map grassroots civil-society organizations projects do not seek to improve conditions clearly shows that intermediaries cannot hazelnut supply chain of partner companies by and other formal and informal actors (such as of a disadvantaged group, but rather aim to be overlooked in developing strategies and piloting USDA Guidelines (U.S. Department of government entities or individuals) that work on reduce already low hazelnut prices.3 policies. It is advisable to involve them in Agriculture Guidelines for Eliminating Child and child-labor prevention and good-employment activities and interventions as actors of Forced Labor in Agricultural Supply Chains4) practices in the project locations. The profile that Some hazelnut producers share this concern. influence and encourage their participation in and strengthening their internal monitoring and can be used to mobilize local community actors During focus-group discussions, producers every way possible. remediation systems. in the Şanlıurfa-Eyyübiye district; the Sakarya- often said they sympathize with workers but Karasu district (Küçükkarasu, Küçükboğaz, need to consider their own pressing economic The USDA Guidelines consist of a set of Kuzuluk villages); the Düzce-Akçakoca district 3 Project staff note that this perception is subjective and speculative. needs. Hazelnut farming is a key source of Still, stakeholders stated that they they believe global brands try to use practices for independent third-party (Beyören, Balatlı villages); and the Ordu-Kabataş income for most farming families, and they child labor in hazelnut production as a leverage to lower hazelnut prices, monitoring and verification of the production, district (Kuzuköy, Alankent, Ardıç villages). by globally creating bad publicity about the Turkish hazelnut sector. Per claim that hazelnut price reductions and this logic, to compete with bad publicity and other countries willing to processing and distribution of agricultural challenge Turkey’s leading position in hazelnut production, local actors increases in daily wages would be financially feel pressured to lower prices. Low hazelnut prices due to bad weather products and commodities with the goal of The findings of this research will be used destabilizing. It is apparent that producers also hit producers hard in recent years and the Turkish government had by project partners to develop their 2017 to intervene in April 2017 (just before Constitutional Referendum) to do not perceive themselves as actors who support the market for the first time in eight years. Hazelnuts have been intervention and remediation strategies. can create positive change with regard to highly politicized as a commodity and conspiracy theories emerge under 4 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/04/12/2011-8587/ Planned remediations will target both seasonal these circumstances. (Source: https://www.ft.com/content/96b33994- consultative-group-to-eliminate-the-use-of-child-labor-and-forced-labor- employment and living conditions for workers, 34ca-11e7-bce4-9023f8c0fd2e; Last access: 9th of August, 2017 in-imported-agricultural workers and hazelnut producers separately.
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In line with research objectives, the general community; impact of norms on hazelnut framework of the issues/areas explored via pricing; effects of norms along the community profiling were: hazelnut supply-chain practices and relationships. ● social and economic characteristics of the community: ● Community cohesion: residents’ • Demographic characteristics, such as involvement in local social life; community population and growth trends; age support; formal and informal networks. distribution; gender composition, average household size; average household income ● Local institutions and infrastructure: (as compared to surrounding areas); • Local government units; public- concentrations of special groups, such private partnerships; civil-society as minority or low-income populations, organizations; municipalities; elderly persons, religious or ethnic groups, development agencies; relevant and persons with disabilities. business establishments. • Economic characteristics, such as • Local community facilities and unemployment rates and trends; income services, such as schools, camps levels; work-force characteristics; and other residential facilities; youth 1.2. Objectives and Scope dominant business sector; major clubs; religious institutions; informal employers and industries; common educational institutions; credit facilities; The main objectives of the community More specifically, the gathered data were livelihood activities (differentiated by childcare facilities; training institutes, profiling research were to: summarized and analyzed: social and economic group). vocational training centers and • Relevant housing characteristics, such as agricultural extension services; markets; ● Provide information to the project partners ● to determine gaps in the existing programs the extent and availability of low-income medical services, transportation, water that will aid in the establishment of effective (activities and interventions) and explore housing in the affected community; and supply, etc. remedial activities in the hazelnut sourcing how addressing these gaps can lead to type of occupancy in the study area. • Accessibility and affordability of local areas (in the provinces of Düzce, Sakarya, reduction and prevention of child labor; institutions/facilities/services; degree and Ordu); ● Community issues and attitudes: social, of formality of the institutions; rules, ● to identify needs of local actors in order to economic and political norms of the regulations and customs. ● Provide information to identify possible implement effective and sustainable child- intervention areas where companies and labor mitigation and employment-relation local stakeholders can work together to strategies; 1.3. Methodology mitigate the child labor risks in regions like Şanlıurfa, where migrant workers originate; ● to identify existing and potential resources 1.3.1. Research Locations and determine the strengths (capacity of action ● Explore and understand the potential of local actors and available opportunities Primary data were gathered in four provinces: Locations and villages for fieldwork in the actors/institutions/methods that can be to enhance child-labor mitigation; Şanlıurfa-Eyyübiye district, Sakarya-Karasu Black Sea region were selected by partner mobilized in combating and remediating district (Küçükkarasu, Küçükboğaz, Kuzuluk companies Balsu and Olam-Progıda, as they child labor and forced labor, if applicable in ● to gauge the interest of community villages), Düzce-Akçakoca district (Beyören, were central points in their hazelnut supply the hazelnut sector. members in project activities; Balatlı villages), Ordu-Kabataş district (Kuzuköy, chains. Şanlıurfa’s Eyyübiye district was Alankent, Ardıç villages). Şanlıurfa is the selected by the research team to document The findings of the community profiling are ● to solicit feedback from local stakeholders province of origin for seasonal migrant workers; workers’ profiles and migration routes (a high expected to inform the project’s remediation on potential intervention strategies to be Ordu, Düzce and Sakarya are harvest areas number of seasonal workers reside in this strategies for 2017. tested in their communities. where workers migrate during summer months. district).
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1.3.2. Research Methods A total of 14 focus group discussions were Secondary sources have also been used conducted with the participation of 115 to enrich the primary data. Secondary The study used participatory research methods such as focus groups, family interviews, in-depth community members. In total, project staff data consist of information obtained interviews and transect walks. See table below for an overview. conducted nine transect walks and 49 in- from reports by public institutions, depth interviews in four different research organizations and relevant NGOs; locations. See Annex I for city and target statistics (Turkish Statistical Institute); Research Methods audience based breakdown and details of legal regulations; and resource mapping
Instrument Urfa Ordu Düzce Sakarya primary data collection modules. results.
Focus group discussions 5 FGDs with worker families 3 FGDs with hazelnut garden 3 FGDs with hazelnut garden 3 FGDs with hazelnut garden (FGDs) and 1 FGD with intermediaries owners/ producers owners/ producers owners/ producers
5 family interviews with 2. researc H FINDINGS: ŞANLIURFA FIELD Family interviews selected female FGD — — — participants and their families
3 transect walks with village 2 transect walks with village 3 transect walks with village 1 transect walk with Transect walk with headman in each selected headman in each selected headman in each selected Hayati Harrani neighborhood 2.1. anlıurfa Field Profile table 1: Selected statistical data on village headmen location (Kuzuköy, Alankent, location (Beyören and location (Küçükkarasu, Ş headman Şanlıurfa province Ardıç villages) Balatlı villages) Küçükboğaz, Kuzuluk villages) Provincial and district profiles Workforce participation rate 38.7% Interviews with governors, deputy governors, provincial directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies; The hazelnut harvest lasts about two months. (2014 data) district directorates of National Education; provincial directorates of Turkish Employment Agency; One-on-one interviews provincial public health directorates; GAP regional development administration; Seasonal Agricultural Workers Workers mainly from Şanlıurfa province work Real employment rate 32.4% Monitoring Board (only in Şanlıurfa); mayors, provincial directorates of food, agriculture and livestock; agricultural seasonally in Sakarya, Düzce, Ordu and other chambers; chambers of commerce/commodity exchange; village headman/mukhtars; imams and teachers provinces. Unemployment rate 16.3%
According to regional socioeconomic development data for Turkey for 2011, anlıurfa Ş table 2: Selected statistical data on was 73 among 81 provinces. Population, Eyyübiye district
education and employment data are supplied 37 central, 117 rural Number of neighborhoods below. Note that Eyyübiye, a district of Şanlıurfa, (154 total) has a larger population than 31 provinces Population (2016 data) 372,134 in Turkey; Eyyübiye’s youth population is
larger than the Turkish average, exacerbating Male/female ratio 50.44%/49.56% problems related to education and employment. 71.5% Ratio of under-30 population to • 31.4% in the 0-9 age group The following data was collected on seasonal general population (2014 data) • 24.2% in the 10-19 age group • 15.9% in the 20-29 age group migrant workers in Şanlıurfa province:
Population projection for 2023 468,201 ● Most migratory agricultural workers live Average household size in Eyyübiye district. According to a report 6.61 (number of persons) of the Eyyübiye District National Education Directorate Monitoring Committee of Illiteracy rate (includes literate people with no diploma from 40.5% general population/ Seasonal Migratory Agricultural Workers, any educational institution) 60% female only approximately 40 percent of the district’s for persons over 15 (according to 2013 TÜİK data) population of 400,000 are seasonal
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2.2. Need-based Assessment of Living and Working Conditions in Şanlıurfa and Harvest Regions 2.2.1. Health, Social Security, and Employment
Participant profile: by SSK (social insurance) through their The majority of adults interviewed for this spouses. None of the women was self-insured. study indicated that they had no significant income other than that derived from General observations: agricultural labor. Some workers stated that Most workers are unregistered and lack they work temporarily in construction or repair. access to social insurance. Thus, they are also Seasonal agricultural labor is seen by adult excluded from the social-security system participants as their “fate.” and do not quality for benefits under the law (Occupational Health and Safety No. 6331)6. Among the families interviewed, men are responsible for finances and expenses as fathers The beginning and end of seasonal agricultural and heads of households. Main expenses work varies from family to family (see Table 3 include food, electricity, wood or coal (for below for more detail on crops, locations, and workers. Seasonal workers spend four to Agricultural labor and specifically child labor cooking and heating), water and telephone. timing). The working season can range from four eight months of the year outside Şanlıurfa are common in Hayati Harrani; 70 percent to nine months depending on the crop, labor (in nearly 50 provinces across Turkey. of the population are agricultural workers Only one of the male workers interviewed demand, and economic needs of the families. and 80 percent of these work are seasonal in Şanlıurfa said he was part of BAĞ-KUR (a ● Also according to the above-cited (30,000 individuals). The neighborhood social-security organization for artisans and report, 8,801 children identified with empties out at the beginning of April. In the self-employed). Most adult males said they 6 Law No. 6331 dated 2012 theoretically covers all workplaces even if only one employee is registered, and serves to hold employers account- seasonal-worker families were school age fact, for the last three to four years, seasonal are covered by GSS (General Health Insurance) able for occupational health and safety. However, unregistered work is (kindergarten through high school); 1,269 workers have been renting their houses to but no other members of their families receive very common in the agriculture sector in Turkey. Additionally, in practice the law has been enforced only for low-risk work places so far and it is of them continued their terms in Şanlıurfa, Syrian refugees for extra income. It should social security. Meanwhile, seven of the adult expected to be enforced for medium- and high-risk work places only in most switched to schools in other provinces be noted that Syrian refugees are not always women interviewed said they were covered by 2020. It should be also noted that the law does neither require employ- ment of a workplace doctor nor an occupational health and safety expert or tried to finish their terms early. viewed in a positive light, as some feel they GSS, while the remaining three were covered in low risk agriculture work places. reduce wages and take jobs from residents. Neighborhood profile: Hayati Harrani Table 3: Labor-force mobility of seasonal agricultural workers in Şanlıurfa province Most seasonal agricultural labor in Şanlıurfa There are no employment hubs or large-scale (focus group results) originates in the Hayati Harrani neighborhood, enterprises in Hayati Harrani. Until recently, destination crop months the focal point of the Urfa field research. no institutions or organizations have provinces Attempts were made to obtain information approached the neighborhood or residents february april may june july august september october about neighborhood resources through an in- with projects or initiatives related to Greenhouse Adana depth interview with the mukhtar.5 agricultural labor or the prevention of child Sugar beet Konya, Kayseri labor. Some claim that, in any case, there would be no space — no office or storefront — Cumin Ankara 5 As noted below, the mukhtar did not consider the subject within the Apricot Malatya framework of legal responsibilities and authorities, and treats it as a to accommodate such a project. In the past, normal situation specific to this neighborhood and province. Also, it Sakarya-Düzce- for example, citizens lobbied for a nursery, Hazelnut should be emphasized that the mukhtars do not have any authority and Samsun-Ordu responsibility in relation with child labor and that even if they did, there is playground and park to be built on a 4,000 Sunflower Kayseri no way to advise families not to take their children to work. As a result, square-meter vacant plot, but the Ministry of the contribution of the mukhtar to this research has been limited in terms Cotton Şanlıurfa of mapping available resources. Health confiscated the land.
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In general, participants in FGDs emphasized access to lifetime social-security benefits; The picture is quite different in gardens that that their incomes are not enough to cover however, they recognized that the short duration employ only local workers. Local workers’ daily their expenses, and therefore they cannot and lack of continuity of seasonal agriculture wages ranged between 70-90 TL in 2016, the afford many of their basic needs. They state work limits their participation. Male workers year Turkey set the legal minimum wage at that, under these circumstances, children must also noted that, even if they were registered in 55 TL. Intermediaries perceive the disparity work. Women have more difficulty finding the system, they would have a hard time paying between migrant and local wages as normal, as work than men do, as there are no jobs in premiums, and thus would be forced to apply for local workers know the crop better, work more the service sector in Şanlıurfa. Thus, they are a system leave. Women stated that they benefit effectively without harming the trees, and do obliged to accept agricultural labor to help from health services in emergency situations not bring young children to work (in line with meet family expenses. (as mandated by the Turkish healthcare the belief that young children don’t work as system), but they have difficulty accessing efficiently as adults or are otherwise in the way). The period between November and February health services in nonemergency situations. is considered “the dead season” for agricultural Syrian migrants are paid differently. During workers, to use their own term; during this Harvest working conditions the Şanlıurfa focus groups, some participants shake bigger trees and load and carry bags. In period, families have hardly any income. Many The hazelnut harvest, which takes place in the claimed that Syrians would work for 35 TL a addition, some women reported that they hire resort to borrowing money, mostly from Black Sea Region, lasts about two months. day in order to present themselves as a more a caregiver for their children who also cook for agricultural intermediaries7 under conditions In order to contribute to the family income, affordable option. the families. Fees and wages are set for those determined between the two parties. workers, mainly from the Şanlıurfa province, who look after children outside the workplace. engage in seasonal labor in Sakarya, Düzce, Accommodations: There is no infrastructure Participants said they face basic problems Ordu, and other provinces annually. available for worker families in the harvest The main problems faced by workers during in accessing health care and social-security region. People living in tents get water the hazelnut harvest may be summarized as benefits. They claimed that every agricultural The hazelnut harvest is carried out in three from tankers or wells. Flashlights serve for follows: worker desires social insurance coverage and ways: workers picking from the branch, lighting, although in some places, agricultural workers picking from the ground, and through intermediaries obtain electricity from private ● long and variable working hours; the use of machinery. See Annex II for a sources and pay for it. There are no dedicated ● different compensation for different worker 7 Please note that the terms ‘agricultural intermediaries’ and ‘labor intermediaries’ are used interchangeably throughout the text. summary of hazelnut harvest techniques. playgrounds for children in these temporary groups; settlements. There are no health services. ● poor accommodations and working Transportation: Minibuses are used to conditions (dust, dampness, etc.) that can transport seasonal workers from Şanlıurfa to Some workers stay at “hazelnut cottages” create health problems; the Black Sea provinces. Transportation from provided by farmers in Sakarya and Düzce. These ● limited access to basic services due to lack housing in the harvest region to hazelnut dwellings are sparse huts located in the gardens of social insurance.8 gardens is on foot or by tractor-trailer. Labor with relatively primitive facilities. Even though intermediaries cover transportation costs and most farmers stated that they provide all basic Health risks during harvest season similar logistical expenses. needs (water, electricity, even gas) during the Working conditions affect family life in both harvest, workers tell a different story. Utilities are physical and psychological ways. Agricultural Working hours and wages: Hazelnut harvest sporadic — there may be no running water when workers point out that hazelnut farming is workers are usually paid daily, with hours there is electricity — and the cottages themselves particularly difficult in mountainous areas, and and wages determined by the agriculture are cramped places (one or two rooms) which that poor living and working conditions puts chambers, district governors and employers. two large families sometimes share. added stress on families living on someone's Lump-sum payments have been reported in farm in a state of dependence, isolated yet a few places. Agricultural intermediaries take Division of labor: The difficulty of the work under constant surveillance. 10 percent of the daily wage as commission. usually determines the age and sex of the Working hours are usually 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with worker. Women and children shake trees, pick 8 Since they work informally, laborers are not covered by the social security system and are not entitled to benefit from the Law onO ccupa- a one-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks. nuts from the ground and sort them. Men tional Health and Safety No. 6331.
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In fact, hazelnut harvesting can be more from the heat. Some parents fear they might children with their relatives when they leave A group that cannot exhausting for women than men. Women look be poisoned from pesticides or empty for seasonal work (usually only boys), but this be separated from the after the children and must cook and clean pesticides containers. Insects, fetid odors, is not seen as a viable solution. There is no workers — agricultural in an environment where basic needs are not occasional maltreatment by intermediaries and public dorm in the neighborhood for children Intermediaries met. They cannot buy hygienic pads, and even persecution by local children all affect them who want to keep attending the school until The agricultural intermediary system is a if they could, there is no privacy at work or negatively. the end of official term. fundamental aspect of seasonal labor in Turkey. even in settlements. There are no toilets. Though the practice is constantly on the reform agenda, to date no alternatives have been proposed. For all the above-mentioned reasons, access The mukhtar has requested resources for the Researchers conducting this community profiling Children are most vulnerable in terms of to health services during harvest (especially schools in the neighborhood from the Provincial organized a focus group of agricultural intermediaries in Şanlıurfa province to elicit their views and needs. health issues. Although agricultural workers in case of sudden illnesses) is a key issue for Directorate of National Education and the stated that children do not get sick because workers. Agricultural intermediaries and garden Ministry of National Education. Outside of the Intermediaries — called elçi, dayıbaşı or çavuş—play a supply-demand role in agriculture by meditating of work, they admitted during questioning owners should take full responsibility to resolve harvest season, classes are very crowded; in relations between employers and workers. The size that children do not eat a healthy diet, suffer these problems—workers living in isolated some classes, there are 60-70 students. There of groups managed by intermediaries vary from 10 from lack of sleep, and become exhausted environments are fully dependent on them. have been no responses to the requests. to 70 workers. Intermediaries often form long-term relationships with their workers. They lend money in winter to those who need cash, and this practice in turn Profiles of participants commits workers to the next harvest. 2.2.2. Education and Child Labor Study participants, particularly women, strongly It should be noted that intermediaries often are in the felt their lack of education predestined them same financial situation as seasonal workers. Their families also work during harvest and they claim to Hayati Harrani educational profile9 agricultural season begins, the number of high- to seasonal agricultural work. Of 10 females struggle with debt as well. For example, in cases According to the mukhtar, children living in school students can drop from 500 to 100. interviewed, two were literate, three attended where producers do not pay wages to the workers, intermediaries feel responsible to make the payments the neighborhood must work because of primary school, and five were illiterate. Only one from their own accounts. Their promise is a guarantee their families’ economic needs. There are There is no exact information about the reported training in any occupation other than to workers they feel obliged to uphold. The repatriation five schools in the neighborhood. When the number of children leaving neighborhood agricultural labor (in tailoring).10 All of the adult of a sick worker or communication with his/her family is also a responsibility of intermediaries. In their own schools each year, but the mukhtar suggests it participants (men and women) started seasonal words, they operate like father figures, and it often costs them money. 9 Stated by the neighborhood’s mukhtar. is in the thousands. A few families leave their agricultural labor in childhood. Intermediaries play a key role in support of employers The children interviewed as part of the survey as well. Employers who work closely with an intermediary know that, first of all, they will have the had been working in hazelnut harvesting for at necessary workforce come harvest season. Moreover, least two years. Most of them started at age 9 they do not have to deal with hundreds of workers individually or make individual agreements about or 10. The children, together with their parents, working and living conditions and wages. participated in harvests one to two months The intermediaries determine the number of workers each year. the garden owner needs and the wages owners will pay. They visit the recruitment regions and choose All children aged 14 years and under currently workers for the season; workers so not enter into any relationship with the employer and they do not get were attending school, but they often changed social insurance (Sanal 1984). schools or left anlıurfa to work in agriculture Ş The intermediary system is governed by regulations before the semester ended (that is, before and its activities are monitored by the Turkish June). Typically, they obtain permission from Employment Agency. However, almost all the agricultural intermediaries interviewed for this teachers (through their parents) to take report function informally. In separate research examinations early.11 study conducted by Gülçubuk, et al., agricultural intermediaries consistently raised the point that workers employed formally require social insurance. 10 It has been observed that access to education is a more sensitive Employers prefer not to deal with this. Therefore, issue for women than for men. agricultural intermediaries remain unregistered in 11 Nevertheless, it can be assumed that this situation negatively affects large numbers. (See Annex 3 for information on the their school achievement and the efficiency of the educational process. regulation on agricultural Intermediaries.)
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The number of children between 15 and 17 years children’s and parents’ notions on this issue of age who continued their studies beyond were generally fruitless, since families make primary school was small — just two in the economic survival their top priority. young women and men groups. These young people kept studying and joined agricultural Two male participants in the 15-17 year group work after their semester ended.12 The young who continued their education reported that female group had some illiterate individuals they wanted to go to agricultural labor in order and others who left school in the 6th or 7th to earn money (in January when the fieldwork grade grade (12 or 13 years old, respectively). was conducted), but they could not do it because the school attendance requirement13 Key titles in educational access prevented them. These young men stayed in Children leaving school before the completion Şanlıurfa until the end of the academic year and of the semester is a serious problem. Girls in then joined their families in the harvest regions. the age group 14 and younger like school more than boys, in part because school is the most Girls in the 15-17 age group who dropped out comfortable place for girls to socialize outside after primary school stated that they did so their homes, a perceived safe place where they because of family pressure. What is striking is can make friends. that they emphasized their decisions were based on their own observations of their surroundings It is noteworthy that young people between and their family's attitude. They said they did not the ages of 15 and 17, both girls and boys, do consult their parents, telling themselves “they that their prevailing presumption is the lack of their children’s chances to study for a profession. not make plans or set goals for the future. will not give permission in the end.” In particular, employment for women: men always have more However, it has also been observed that parents They do not believe that their future will these girls stated that they had little time to opportunities, including educational options. tend to avoid long-term plans. University may change because of education. The opportunity study because of work at home. seem like a distant goal in comparison to getting to earn money and contribute to household In fact, although women and men expressed a paying job. Thus, promoting attainment of high finances diminishes their desire to continue Another common theme expressed by 15-17 no difference in their attitudes toward school diplomas or vocational certificates seems their education. Teachers’ efforts to change year olds: parents will support their children in the education of boys and girls, evidence more realistic and achievable. school only when they are successful students. suggested otherwise. Male workers 12 Their parents are out on the road early to travel to harvest areas. It is difficult for children (especially girls) to stay indicated gender did not matter in terms of Other important factors influencing in school if they are having trouble learning. the education of their children; but it was the decision to continue education are observed that, whenever possible, boys had transportation, nutrition and accommodation. Girls in the 15-17 year group said they didn’t preference with regard to schooling. About The discussions in the male workers’ group consider “distance education” because they half of the women workers stated that the pointed to the fact that the free provision of didn’t believe education would help them education of their daughters was a priority transportation and nutrition has a positive find a job (they also mentioned family and they were willing to make sacrifices to achieve; effect on fathers’ decisions to send their neighborhood pressure to work). It is noteworthy the problem, they said, was that the final children to school. However, accommodation that these girls did not have sufficient decision belonged to the girls’ fathers. is a problem for children who need to go to information about distance education, and school away from their parents. Parents, both Although such evidence must be considered mothers and fathers, do not take kindly to the
13 When a student is absent for more than 10 school days, the student anecdotal, it was observed that school idea that their children, especially girls, must automatically fails the grade. Two participants stated that they know attendance, especially among girls, may be stay in dormitories. A small number of families that their school drop-out process will speed up once they start to fail classes. Although they claim to prefer working to attending school, they influenced by available role models. These stated that they leave their children with do not want to give up on their education either. They say that holding a models may be relatives or friends, but in either relatives to continue their schooling during high school certificate may help them finding relatively better jobs in the future, even though the odds for this seem very low at the moment. case, they may affect parents thinking about harvest season.
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Working children/child labor and safe spaces such as playgrounds and Although the bi-annual Provincial Level in November 2016), the participants There is no discrimination with regard to study areas, would make harvest season more Seasonal Migrant Agricultural Workers stated that they recall neither the other whether girls or boys should participate in bearable. Monitoring Committee Meetings were participating institutions nor the meeting seasonal agricultural labor: it is a given that both held in Şanlıurfa (the last one was held agendas. should work—every family member must bear The children said they never witnessed a social some responsibility for income generation. audit (by a governmental or nongovernmental actor) while they worked in the gardens. They 2.3.1.2. Institutions in the Provinces and Services They Provide Indeed, children were forthright about have heard that child labor is prohibited, but working to contribute to family income. They their knowledge is sketchy—they have no clear Field researchers in Şanlıurfa conducted Public Health Directorate believe that if they do not work, their families idea about how their work affects or might interviews with all the stakeholder institutions/ ● The Public Health Directorate looks will suffer; work is a requirement for them. affect their lives. organizations at the primary level. The main at issues only within its own areas of Children turn over their wages to their fathers, findings from these interviews appear below. responsibility but seems to have a plan to but fathers sometimes return pocket money to work with other institutions. the children or save cash for school expenses. Ministry of National Education,
14 Children would like to see such activities outside of working hours provincial and district organizations Municipality But children also stated that activities such as since they perceive themselves as workers first. However, they express ● Working children in the province can ● Although Eyyübiye district is home to most that they would prefer attending these activities as replacement if the 14 music or painting, outside of working hours, perceived necessity of contributing to family budget were not to exist. be monitored through the Ministry of seasonal agricultural workers in Şanlıurfa, Education, although families who cannot or Eyyübiye municipality has limited human do not send their children to school escape resources and does not conduct research 2.3. Findings Specific to Public Institutions the system’s monitoring. directly related to child labor. However, if they cooperate with other institutions, they 2.3.1. Findings Specific to Public Institutions ● District directorates have will be able to maximize their resources . responsibility for the education 2.3.1.1. General Observations and training of children and for checking their school attendance. An initial observation with respect to public progress toward reform. Field observations These bodies maintain the most institutions/organizations is the absence of indicated no communication between public detailed knowledge about local integrated studies and guidelines on seasonal institutions/organizations and agricultural developments; the directorates’ agricultural labor, particularly child labor. Three workers. Despite the importance of agriculture monitoring boards prepare reports basic conclusions can be drawn: (1) capacity intermediaries, they are allowed to operate every six months. of personnel and competence of institutions/ outside the system: Local administrations organizations are limited; (2) inspections are deem the practice outside their authority. ● Eyyübiye District Directorate of not conducted timely and effectively;15 and There is a need for centralized coordination National Education (home district (3) the duties and responsibilities of ministries among stakeholders. of the most seasonal workers) cannot be transferred to provinces. monitors absenteeism and conducts interviews with parents. According Local governmental decision makers and staff 15 Turkey’s Labor Law doesn’t cover the work in enterprises with fewer to the directorate, children working than 50 workers. Most cases of child labor occur in areas that techni- are not fully aware of child-labor issues and cally fall outside the jurisdiction of labor inspectors. Administrative fines in the harvesting of hazelnuts and do not accept responsibility for monitoring or may be levied on the employers according to the Misdemeanor Law No. other crops suffer discrimination by 5326 if child labor is identified through visits by local authorities and law- preventing child labor. enforcement officers. teachers and prejudice by peers. The 16 The number of seasonal migrant agricultural workers and interme- directorate believes it necessary to 16 diaries based in Şanlıurfa, their migration routes, duration of their work At this time, there is still no “data bank” in in the provinces, and registration status of labour intermediaries could carry out perception and awareness anlıurfa province, the center of seasonal be tracked thanks to this database. İŞKUR special units, consisting of studies with teachers to help increase Ş relevant institutions’ members and coordinated by governors, would use agricultural labor in Turkey; this hinders this database in collaboration. attendance among working children.
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● According to municipal authorities, ● The governorate is cooperating with reported (institutional authorities consider governorates are more capable of İŞKUR in the prevention of child labor, child labor as a form of child abuse). addressing child-labor problems. Possible but information on their joint efforts is solutions include the creation of business unavailable. ● Temporary cash support is provided the hubs to spur employment, microcredit families depending on circumstances programs for families, and vocational Ministry of Family and Social Policies and criteria. To this end, Social Assistance training. provincial organization Solidarity Foundations conduct the ● The Family and Social Policies Provincial necessary eligibility reviews. There is no ● The municipality offers sports and social Directorate is nestled under the Commission up-to-date data on how much seasonal activities for young people. However, there on the Rights of Children. The commission agricultural workers have benefited are no specific programs for disadvantaged seeks to protect and promote the universal from this. groups such as children of seasonal worker rights of children but does not directly families. prevent agricultural child labor. The Family İŞKUR and Social Policies Provincial Directorate ● The Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) Governorate does not have a database on seasonal stands out as one of the most important ● The governorate has made efforts to agricultural child labor or information on stakeholders in the supervision of prevent child labor through the Social their numbers. agricultural workers and especially the of personnel and time; thus it cannot Assistance Foundation, but these efforts activities of agricultural intermediaries. monitor the number of child workers, are inadequate. The basic approach of this ● The Family and Social Policies Provincial However, it is not directly responsible for the registration status of agricultural institution is to support a model in which Directorate primarily concerns itself with preventing child labor, as SGK (Sosyal intermediaries, and the insurance status only adult males migrate and work, but legal issues and legislative measures Güvenlik Kurumu, Turkey’s social security of workers. this approach has proved problematic, as to prevent child abuse. However, the administration) has the main responsibility resources are inadequate to cover losses of directorate becomes involved only after for this. ● İŞKUR’s occupation consultants provided income generated by other family members. child labor or abuse has been detected or training to agricultural intermediaries two ● According to the Şanlıurfa Provincial years ago, but this training has not been Directorate, there are an estimated 1,500- repeated and no studies have been done 2,000 agricultural intermediaries in the to gauge its effectiveness. Currently, the province. İŞKUR is responsible for the institution does not have a systematic registration of agricultural intermediaries. training program. There are 136 intermediaries registered with the directorate, but only 30 submit ● İŞKUR stated that from time to time it regular annual reports; 160 agriculture distributes posters and brochures (sent intermediaries had certificates canceled from Ankara) related to child labor in because they did not update their relevant locations. However, they have not registration (authorities have not checked carried out a study on the effectiveness of whether these intermediaries are still the dissemination of this information. working ). If the registration system were fully operational, certified intermediaries GAP Regional Development would report regularly and advise the Administration authorities about the problems they ● The GAP Regional Development encounter. Administration (BKİ) has no studies, databases or monitoring units directly ● İŞKUR has stated that it cannot carry related to child labor. The most recent out necessary inspections due to lack trainings and vocational programs for
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children working on the streets were held ● The Seasonal Agricultural Workers in 2002. GAP BKİ has no future strategy to Monitoring Board receives requests prevent child labor. for help from agricultural workers on health, education and job-related issues ● The most important initiative of GAP BKİ seems such as basic workplace standards and to be its multipurpose community centers requirements; child-worker exploitation; (ÇATOM) aimed at seasonal agricultural wage arbitration; and migrant access workers. Vocational courses (hairdressing, to schools. Interviewees emphasized 3. researc H FINDINGS: BLACK SEA FIELDS tailoring, etc.) are given and a game room for that the children of seasonal agricultural children is available. In the winter months, some workers should enjoy the same rights agricultural workers attend ÇATOM courses. given to the children of Syrian refugees 3.1. Working and Living Conditions There is a ÇATOM in Eyyübiye, but the number (such as compulsory education, of participants is limited. assistance, follow-up). Districts in three provinces (Sakarya, Düzce, Table 5: Selected statistical data on Ordu) were selected for research in the Black Karasu district Seasonal Agricultural Workers ● Additionally interviews with the mukhtar, Sea region. Basic data and statics about these Monitoring Board imam, and teachers in Hayati Harrani in districts are presented below. Population (2016 data) 61,533 ● It was observed in the interviews that the Şanlıurfa reinforced the fact that these 50%/50% local monitoring board does not cooperate actors do not consider themselves Male/female ratio with their counterparts in other provinces formally responsible for child-labor 3.1.1. Sakarya-Karasu Statistics Residential area 477 km² and that this system does not operate matters, as they only investigate child
actively. labor on an individual basis. Sakarya stands out as a province richer than Forested area 12,465 hectares others in terms of agricultural activity (Karasu district likewise enjoys commercial activities Total agricultural area (2014) 252,196 decares besides hazelnut agriculture). Sakarya benefits 2.3.1.3. Overview of Infrastructure Resources Hazelnut, maize, sunflower and Main agricultural products from tourism enhanced by wide forested potato
In Eyyübiye, local government oversees areas and water resources (Sakarya River and Nonagricultural fishing and forestry the education and health-service Acarlar Lake) suitable for fishing. income-generating activities infrastructures. There is a municipal 4 kindergartens (1 private) and 31 youth center in the neighborhood elementary schools (7 central and 24 in villages and towns); 22 secondary Table 4: Selected statistical data on where mostly agricultural workers Schools schools (8 central and 14 in villages); Sakarya province reside. There is also a multipurpose 6 high schools (all central), of which 3 are “Anatolian”*); plus an community center (ÇATOM) provided Population (2014 data) 932,706 occupational training center by the GAP Regional Development Hospitals TRY 13,335 Administration. In addition, there are Male/female ratio 50%/50% educational institutions and health * Anatolian High Schools refer to public high schools in Turkey that admit their students according to high exam results and performance. units. Land mass 235,356 hectares
Land under hazelnut cultivation 72,598 hectares Table 6: Population data on Küçükkarasu, There is a large population of young Küçükboğaz, Kuzuluk villages
people and children in the district, Population of Küçükkarasu village Hazelnut production in Turkey 12.6% 1,242 considered a disadvantage by local (2016 data) Third in cultivation area authorities. There is an urgent need Ranking in hazelnut agriculture Population of Küçükboğaz village Second in production 654 in Turkey (2016 data) for quality education facilities at First in productivity
various levels and on-the-job learning Annual agricultural Population of Kuzuluk village TRY 13,335 3,754 opportunities to reverse this situation. GDP per capita (2015) (2016 data)
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3.1.2. Düzce-Akçakoca Statistics Table 9: Selected statistical data on 3.1.3. Ordu-Kabataş Statistics Table 11: Selected data on Kabataş district Akçakoca District Hazelnut is the most prominent agricultural Hazelnut is the traditional product in Ordu: the 43 villages, 1 central municipality; Established 1991 product in the province of Düzce. Selected Administrative structure 21 neighborhoods in the villages; 8 province accounts for 25 percent of Turkey’s information about the districts and villages of neighborhoods within the municipality hazelnuts, first place in the country’s overall Population (2015 data) 10,604 Düzce (Akçakoca district was selected for the Population (2016 data) 37,660 annual production. . survey) follows below. Average household size 3.28 Male/female ratio 49.5%/50.5% It is noteworthy that the population of Kabataş, the district selected for the survey, Literacy rate 89% Table 7: Selected statistical data on Average household size 3.19 and its affiliated villages, whose economic Düzce province Total agricultural land 51,991 decares 35.8% of the population live in activities other than hazelnut farming are not Rural/urban breakdown Population (2016 data) 370,371 villages and rural areas developed, is aging and decreasing yearly. Land under hazelnut cultivation 46,822 decares Agricultural land 22,028 hectares Male/female ratio 50.16%/49.84% Community health center, family health centers (is 1 in Alankent), Land under hazelnut cultivation 21,865 hectares emergency health services station 74,163 hectares Table 10: Selected data on Ordu Resources Agricultural acreage and health house; 2 kindergartens, 6 elementary schools, 6 secondary Annual hazelnut production 17,000–36,000 tons schools, 3 high schools Land under hazelnut cultivation 62,685 hectares Population 728,949 Tourism, industry, construction, Income sources other than hazelnut transportation, fishery, beekeeping Agriculture (hazelnut and other Table 12: Population data on Table 8: Selected data on 96.5% (73% of illiterate individuals crops, livestock, beekeeping, fishery, Literacy rate Main economic activities Alankent, Ardıç, Kuzköy Beyören and Balatlı villages are above 60 years of age) forestry) and trade (comprised mainly of activities related to hazelnut) 259 elementary, 119 secondary Population of Alankent 4,424 Proximity of Beyören to the Classrooms 7 km (378 total) district center 255,297 hectares Agricultural acreage 8 in the center, 10 in villages (43% of total land) Population of Ardıç 608 Elementary schools Population of Beyören 687 people in 240 households (18 total) Annual hazelnut production 140-180 thousand tons Mobile education-training 866 students in 39 village schools Population of Kuzköy 472 Asphalt and paving-stone roads; activities transported to 9 central schools adequate potable water; health Village infrastructure center; mosque; primary school with 1 high school, 1 Anatolian high school, 12 classrooms 1 vocational school, 1 Anatolian vocational school, 1 Anatolian technical Proximity of Balatlı to the and industrial school, 1 vocational high 3.1.4. Profile of Interviewees 8 km district center Other central secondary schools school for girls, 1 practical arts school (within the vocational school for girls), 1 İmam Hatip high school, 1 Anatolian Focus groups with large hazelnut garden In Ordu, a different picture emerges. In general, Population of Balatlı 627 people in 164 households hotel management and tourism school, owners/producers, small hazelnut garden producers employ local workers (from Aybastı 1 Anatolian teacher school Asphalt and paving-stone roads; owners/producers, and females who are village) in the hazelnut harvest. Although the Students in primary and adequate potable water; health 6,227 17 secondary education spouses or relatives of garden owners. number of seasonal agricultural workers has Village infrastructure center; mosque; primary school with 4 increased in recent years, their number remains classrooms (6th-7th-8th grade students Teachers in primary and 465 attend Beyören elementary school) secondary education The average age of the producers was 51 small and concentrated in a few gardens. (across all groups). In Sakarya and Düzce, all Producers noted that local workers rarely bring Schools with kindergarten 20 producers employ seasonal agricultural workers. children to work with them in the gardens, but Most garden owners said that children of some seasonal workers do. Children attending kindergarten 608 seasonal laborers have worked in their gardens
Teachers in kindergartens 27 permanent, 3 temporary in varying numbers over the past years. The farmers who employed seasonal agricultural workers in their gardens said they felt they had 1 two-year vocational high school and Higher education units 1 tourism and hotel management high to let the children of seasonal migrant families 17 Please note that the terms ‘farmers’, ‘garden owners’, ‘producers’, school (affiliated with Düzce University) and ‘proprietors’ are used interchangeably throughout the text. work. They stated that seasonal agricultural
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Although hazelnut production remains the the break up of gardens through inheritance increase in mechanized large-scale farming, most important source of income, men have reduced the real income19 derived from which in turn will decrease the need for seasonal stated that they are increasingly seeking hazelnut production. Different sources of labor — potential by as much as 60 percent. other employment because of the decline income have begun to emerge. Mechanical harvesting will remain limited in in revenue from hazelnut harvests in Ordu province due to mountainous topography. recent years. This gradual decline was a In addition, producers have observed changes However, producers believed that over time concern expressed by all producers across in hazelnut farming that affect long-standing machines will be adapted to these conditions. all regions (the perception is that hazelnut practices; they follow new trends20 even though yields are decreasing due to disease and they cannot implement them for a variety 19 Average agricultural land ownership is around 60 decares per family in Turkey but this average decreases by more than half for hazelnut prices falling due to market competition of reasons (e.g., lack of financial resources, garden owners. Family members are more likely to sell their own shares and manipulation by “outside actors.”18 inadequate land profile). In their opinion, one or leave their parcels unattended compared to the past. Migration to city centers or other cities is a major factor that contributes to this disinte- of the decisive factors determining the future gration process. Family members stated that keeping up this traditional Men make all decisions regarding income- of hazelnut farming is “mechanical harvesting.” economic activity is no longer worth the effort and time. 20 New trends include different machine-farming techniques. Various generating activities and work-related models of machines have been developed that collect shelled hazelnuts issues. Women remain in the background. Sakarya and Düzce (which have more flat by shaking the hazelnut trees into their reservoir by a vacuumed suction system. Some models of these machines can be used with an additional There are exceptions: a limited number agricultural land than Ordu) can expect an shelling apparatus, conducting two processes at the same time. of women own gardens and manage the harvest. Women producers are more engaged with workers' families, especially 3.2. Needs Analysis in the Context of Relations Between worker families insist on working with their women and children, and are more cognizant Harvest Actors and Child Labor children to earn more money since children of living and working conditions. receive daily wages as well, and they threaten farmers with leaving if they are not allowed. It has been observed that there were no 3.2.1. Relations with Seasonal Agricultural Workers Finding back-up workers on such short notice differences among large and small producers is not an option according to farmers. in terms of demographics, economic profile, Hazelnut producers mainly bring seasonal then, there is no direct communication between diversity of income sources, working relations, workers from Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Batman and the two parties; intermediaries manage their In all three provinces, workers in areas other and perceptions and attitudes of child labor— Diyarbakır. The workers are employed mostly relationships. This practice contrasts with than harvesting are recruited locally or except for the number of workers, dictated by through agricultural intermediaries. For this producers’ intense interaction with local through families. These income-generating the size of the garden. reason, producers interact with the workers workers. One exception to the above: when activities include maize farming and livestock only after they arrive at their gardens. Even producers provide accommodation for workers. production. plus fishing in Karasu and 18 Researchers interpreted the term “outside actors,” when used by beekeeping in Kabataş). farmers, to mean international corporations or market manipulators. 3.2.2. Child-labor Perception of age. They expressed no gender preference, although some said women work more 3.1.5. Relation of Garden Owners/Producers to Hazelnut Farming According to producers, child labor remains efficiently and quickly. That said, seasonal a major problem in the hazelnut harvest, laborers want to work with their families (in All producers interviewed say hazelnut plays a key role in most families’ livelihood, though it has been decreasing in recent years. some rare occasions, they threaten to quit if agriculture has been part their lives since according to the secondary data collected. A Producers says they do not want to employ they can’t do this), and so producers must birth. Income from hazelnut production makes considerable number of producers interviewed children under age 15, not only because tolerate child labor. up 40-100 percent of family income. Ordu regard hazelnut production as the most they are morally opposed to child labor, but and Düzce provinces are particularly tied to important source of livelihood. because they work inefficiently and tire quickly. The relevant point here is that there is no hazelnut agriculture, as the statistics above controlling authority in this matter. Only indicate. Sakarya province has more diversified In recent years, a combination of disease, In the opinion of hazelnut producers, the a few districts provide guidelines on child agricultural activities and crops, but hazelnut market fluctuation, shrinking cultivation, and ideal employee is between 20 and 45 years labor. Producers do not feel responsible for
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informing or warning workers about child assistance for families and regulation of 3.2.3. Relations with Agricultural Intermediaries labor and expect public officials to act on such intermediaries. The general consensus matters. was that child labor should be addressed The agricultural intermediary system is the maın advanTages and dısadvanTages of at the source—workers’ home regions— most institutionalized employment system agrıculTural ınTermedıarıes Producers went on to note that children under to prevent children coming to harvesting for seasonal agricultural work in Turkey, even MAIn ADvAnTAGES OF MAIn DISADvAnTAGES OF 10 are particularly vulnerable to conditions areas. If necessary, the state should pay if most intermediaries are not registered. AGRICULTURAL InTERMEDIARIES, AGRICULTURAL InTERMEDIARIES, ACCORDInG TO PRODUCERS ACCORDInG TO PRODUCERS such as humidity, extreme hot or cold, insect a “compensatory income” to the families. All producers employ seasonal agricultural infestations, and dust. Producers observed that Criminal sanctions should be applied if families workers engaged through agricultural ✔ guarantee of labor supply ✘ guarantee of labor supply children working in the gardens often suffer still insist on making their children work. intermediaries. In the past, some producers ✔ guarantee of experienced ✘ guarantee of experienced and disciplined workers and disciplined workers from poor nutrition, insomnia, and lack of tried to work around the system but failed ✔ effi cient and effective ✘ effi cient and effective educational and social activities. Likewise, producers lament the lack of (because they lost communication with the management management support for children of seasonal workers in families after the harvest or because workers On the other hand, garden owners regarded the harvesting provinces. Limited training felt pressured to stay within the system). take workers to health-care centers in cases of child labor as an unfortunate economic necessity. projects have been implemented for children emergency and work accidents. Hazelnut producers do not employ their own in Sakarya. Local residents could not recall the Hazelnut producers generally chose children (under 13 years old) in agricultural names or scope of these projects. agricultural intermediaries with whom they had In return for these services, intermediaries work. However, children 13 or older may work ongoing relationships. Arrangements are made take the equivalent of two days wages as a in family gardens. Some garden owners deem According to producers, principal responsibility in the spring, before the harvest begins, with management fee, along with 10 percent of a this necessary for children “to experience life by for preventing child labor falls on the Ministry intermediaries contacting producers directly worker’s daily wage — although this is not legal. working,” while others want their children to earn of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, the Ministry contact or by telephone. Intermediaries find pocket money and stay busy in the summer. of Labor and Social Security, the Provincial workers through family and neighborhood ties. None of the garden proprietors participating in Directorates of National Education, district the study asked intermediaries for certificates (in tHouGHts on Prevention of governorates, and chambers of agriculture. Intermediaries are responsible for the productivity theory, the intermediary system is governed and cHild labor However, producers were unable to provide and efficiency of seasonal workers as well as monitored by the Turkish Employment Agency). When asked about ways to prevent child details about involving these public authorities for their transportation, accommodation, and Thus, the key legal instrument of the agricultural labor, hazelnut producers suggested economic or how they could work together. services such as water and electricity. They intermediary system does not function in the field.
3.2.4. Wages and Working Hours across the provinces (for example, 90-100 TL/ dat in Ordu). The number of workers a producer employs in the harvest season, which lasts an average Researchers observed that children under of two months, is determined the size of his 18 were paid 40 TL/day in some gardens in garden. The average producer employs 15-20 Sakarya province. Pre-set wages did not differ workers for a period of 5-25 days. dramatically between men and women. Some producers expressed preference for female The Provincial Wage Determination workers because they regard them as more Commission establishes wages for seasonal efficient. agricultural workers: 55 TL/day in 2016. It was also observed that some hazelnut producers Generally, a worker is compensated with one paid 60 TL/day when demand was high and daily wage per work day. Only agricultural they were in dire need of manpower. Local intermediaries, women responsible for wages (70 TL/day in 2016) are higher than the cooking, and porters (those who carry sacks) seasonal workers. Wages may differ slightly may be paid at the rate of two daily wages.
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3.2.5. Working and Housing Conditions
It was reported that seasonal agricultural believe that they fulfill their responsibilities in workers in Sakarya and Düzce experience this respect. better housing conditions than those in Ordu. In the former provinces, workers stay in small The harvest period is a challenging time for houses in the gardens and their electricity, hazelnut producers as well as workers. The water, and wood for cooking is supplied by producers explained that they labor under the the proprietor. In the province of Ordu, most same conditions as the workers and that, when workers stay in tents and lack basic facilities. possible, they offer workers tea or fruit during rest periods. Small groups of harvest workers who “self- contract” in Sakarya and Düzce (i.e., do Language differences also deepen lines of not find employment through agricultural separation during the busy harvesting season. intermediaries) also reside in tents. These Many producers noted that local residents harbor workers want to avoid intermediaries’ prejudices against seasonal workers, and from commissions or wish to work specific jobs. time to time seasonal workers experience conflict with locals. Agricultural intermediaries act as a Regardless of the disparity in these situations, bridge between these two populations, as well hazelnut producers stated that the most as the producers themselves. Some participants important support they can give agricultural in the women’s groups shared that, when they workers, and especially their children, is to see mistreatment or unproductive work, they provide adequate accommodations and meet want to directly get involved, but because of It was observed that the Ministry of National framework of children’s rights. Moreover, some their electricity-water-wood needs. They the language barrier they remain passive. Education and the Ministry of Labor and Social interviewees exhibited skepticism toward the Security do not have adequate staff devoted community profiling itself, as if researchers to the problem (these are among the key were a hostile force attempting to create a 3.3. Source Identification institutions overseeing child labor). Also, the problem that didn’t exist in hazelnut farming. number of nongovernmental organizations 3.3.1. Public Institutions (NGOs) that actively work in the field is That said, it should be noted that most public limited.21 and nongovernmental organizations in Ordu 3.3.1.1. General Observations seemed to be more responsive, competent In sum, all institutions, both public and NGOs, and involved in child-labor issues. This attitude While stakeholders identify child labor as a consistent information about gender ratios described themselves as “supporting” or can be attributed to the fact that hazelnut major problem, no attempt has been made to and the number of working children is “subsidiary” organizations with regard to farming is a key economic activity and source find a concrete solution. Public officials were unavailable. Researchers noted that there is no child labor, rather than owning the problem. of livelihood in the province. The project that often unaware of their own responsibilities for controlling authority over seasonal workers; To paraphrase public officials, it is not their the ILO conducted with NGOs in the province child labor in agriculture, especially in hazelnut no adequate mechanism to identification or duty to intercede, yet their reluctance cannot of Ordu three years ago illustrates this farming. Stakeholders described officials track school-age children; no quantitative data be deemed as negligence on their part. They attitude.22 as showing disinterest, misunderstanding, at the local level about children outside the claim that they take initiatives to correct child insensitivity, and even avoidance of the issue. school system; no initiative for cooperation labor on their own. 21 NGOs and international agencies that are active in the field of hazel- and coordination between public institutions nut in Black Sea region identified as; Genc Hayat Foundation,S upport to Life, Pikolo, Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work, Ordu The dimensions of the problem have not to address child labor. There are few if any Importantly, child labor is dealt within the Women Empowerment Association, Development Workshop, Educa- been clearly sketched out. There is no central initiatives to provide support to civil society discourse of “foreign forces desiring to tional Volunteers Foundations, and International Labor Organisation. 22 http://www.ilo.org/ankara/projects/WCMS_373426/lang--en/index. database for agricultural workers. Likewise, for a solution to the child-labor problem. damage hazelnut sector,” and not within the htm
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Agricultural chambers In addition to their role in determining workers' wages, the Likewise, no initiatives regarding education for institutions prioritize education because much as potential key players in agricultural chambers, along with the district governor’s office, children of seasonal workers were identified. of the hazelnut harvest takes place during the district directorate of national education, and actors from the region the private sector, are also engaged in limited activities aimed Neither garden owners nor relevant public summer holiday. at improving the living conditions— distributing milk and toys Researchers interviewed the heads of selected agricultural to children and sponsoring NGO educational courses. chambers of commerce for this project. It was observed that the agricultural chambers are important nongovernmental The president of the Sakarya-Karasu agricultural chamber organizations for agricultural workers and have the potential to stated that approximately 5,000 seasonal agricultural workers become a key stakeholder in the region. arrive in the district and 20 percent of them are under age 15. 3.3.2. Observations on Available Resources in Villages and Effective Actors There are some who believe this circumstance is “used by Agricultural chambers are part of the provincial/district wage- foreign forces” to harm the hazelnut industry. In the interviews Physical and resource mapping were conducted relationship with seasonal workers. Mukhtars determination commissions and all together form the largest with the Akçakoca agricultural chamber, officials also organization to represent producers. Officials send circulars emphasized that the problem of child labor is used to reduce for eight villages/rural neighborhoods in the make copies of identity cards of workers and detailing restrictions against the employment of children the price of hazelnuts, and that private-sector efforts to Black Sea region with the aim of determining communicate this information to relevant under 15, but these circulars are ignored. Some agricultural improve the situation have been “for appearance’s sake only.” chambers have made limited attempts to prevent agricultural Implementing an efficient and sustainable work relationship physical resources available for agricultural authorities. Some mukhtars noted that this intermediaries from excising commissions on workers' wages, with these stakeholders depends on building strong trust workers, especially children. It was believed data would be helpful in tracking the number but they have not followed up on these initiatives. among the parties. that this research will pinpoint suitable of children living in the gardens. In addition, physical and spatial areas for actors to carry mukhtars are often the first to greet garden out interventions in the field during the inspection units (and sometimes have advance 3.3.1.2. Current Institutions in the Provinces and Services They Provide 2017 harvest season. These source maps are notice of inspections, helping proprietors presented in the appendices of this report. See avoid fines), and they frequently guide visitors The stakeholder and responsible institutions In addition to the listed institutions, the Annex 1 for mappings. around villages. and organizations in seasonal agricultural work agricultural district directorates participate identified in Şanlıurfa—especially the Ministry in provincial wage-determination Mukhtars were the key actors consulted for Agricultural chambers can also play important of Health, Ministry of National Education, commissions and occasionally make mappings of villages. While mukhtars do not roles in village and rural areas. The cooperation ASPB, Provincial Organizations of Ministry of informative and cautionary announcements have significant authority and responsibility of agricultural chambers with NGOs and public Interior, governorates, municipalities, chambers about child labor. Beyond this, the in regard to child labor, obliged only to institutions in regard to seasonal workers, of agriculture, and İŞKUR—are also present directorates state that they do not conduct inform producers of the decisions taken by child labor, and intermediaries would raise in Black Sea provinces. However, as noted activities related to child labor, citing provincial wage commissions and instructions awareness among producers and may urge previously, these institutions do not have insufficient resources, experts, tools; even communicated by public administration them to take more active roles in promoting specific or direct roles and responsibilities if they carried out such activities, they authorities, they have an established workers’ welfare. related to seasonal workers (other than İŞKUR). point out, they could not provide any real Accordingly, they claim they have neither benefit without coordinating with other services nor resources to devote to the sector. institutions. 4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3.3.1.3. Infrastructure Resources in the Districts
In all three districts selected for this research, initiated a project in Akçakoca to improve education, health and other public services living conditions, but the effort was temporary. A range of actors and institutions were According to seasonal agricultural workers, their are a function of local government. Producers interviewed as part of this research to identify main issues — continuous access to education provide basic needs and housing of the It was also noted that some municipalities needs of local communities and potential for their children, training for employment in migrant workers. However, observers have provide water service and some mukhtars resources that can meet these needs, and also sectors other than seasonal agricultural work, pointed out that some hazelnut houses are not provide electricity. However, there are no cases to solicit feedback of community members and vocational opportunities in Şanlıurfa — have as suitable for occupation, and that crowded where existing institutions have systematically on key issues such as employment relations, remained unresolved for years. Seasonal workers conditions during the busy harvest period force devoted infrastructure resources toward seasonal agricultural workers’ conditions, child have been unable to break the cycle of debt and workers to stay in tent settlements. METİP seasonal labor housing and needs. labor and access to education. poverty and have come to accept this situation
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as permanent. Economic survival demands physical development of children under the ● remind producers of their responsibilities During the fieldwork, it was observed that public contributions by each family member, including supervision of experts; to other harvest actors; actors remain passive at best because of grey children. Children internalize this attitude rather ● establish mobile health-care teams; ● thoroughly introduce them to research areas of responsibility, or at worst because they young and do not see much value in continuing ● establish user-friendly, easy-to-access projects such as this one, to ward off simply ignore the problem. Even if a specific their education. This is especially true for females. grievance and feedback mechanisms that suspicions and educate their community institution or person tries to tackle the problems would bring workers into direct contact about potential benefits. at hand, lack of capital resources, staff and Considering the community profile that emerged with public authorities and private actors; general institutional constraints may prevent success. from the research, this report recommends: ● standardize salaries and working hours; Agricultural intermediaries are also essential ● conduct regular audits of child labor and actors in the effort to find solutions to ongoing Compounding the problem is a complete ● a thorough reevaluation of vocational overall working conditions by both public problems in hazelnut harvesting. They lack of coordination between public-sector 23 opportunities in Şanlıurfa, with a special authorities and private actors; guarantee producers a supply of workers during institutions in Şanlıurfa and the Black Sea focus on occupations suitable for women ● conduct compulsory health and security the crucial harvest period, as well as jobs for region. Lack of coordination even among (seasonal agricultural workers say their inspections of working and living conditions workers dependent on harvesting for economic district public-sector actors is common. children would stay home with their and equipment in harvest areas. survival; they provide key services for both mothers and continue their education if ● Provide safe transportation from living producers and workers (such as transportation, The recently developed “National Strategic mothers had stable local jobs); areas to gardens. health care and other basic needs); and they Plan to Elimination of Child Labor of Turkey,” ● strengthening vocational education for minimize contact between the two parties, which will cover the period of 2017 – 2023 children between the ages of 13 and 17. Hazelnut producers face their own problems reducing friction and conflict. Because of this: and “Program of Improvement for Seasonal and challenges. For most, hazelnut cultivation Migrant Workers” for 2017 and beyond will The life of seasonal agricultural workers is hard, is their main source of income and they claim ● Intermediaries must be considered an leverage efforts against child labor and for the especially during the harvest period. In terms of that revenue has steadily decreased due integral part of the current system and improvement of seasonal migrant workers’ working conditions, identified issues include: to various factors, including projects such included in all efforts to improve working living and working conditions both at local and excessive working hours, wage deductions (10 as this, which they perceive as a potential conditions in hazelnut harvesting. at central level. percent commission deducted by agricultural negative factor that could interfere with their ● To assure this, every effort should be intermediaries), unsafe transportation, and labor costs. Producers require an adequate made to incorporate them as legal and Public-sector actors should prioritize the health and safety related risks. Lack of access workforce for the short harvest period; for this accountable actors, and following goals: to basic needs such as clean water, electricity, reason, they seek “insurance” from agricultural ● Producters, brands, government, or NGO suitable accommodations, and sanitation in tent intermediaries who have proved able to supply trainers should raise awareness among ● collect and publish necessary data (e.g., areas is a key problem encountered in often reliable and dependable workers. intermediaries about child labor and the updated statistics about child labor in isolated hazelnut gardens. Moreover, clashes need to improve workers’ living and working Turkey and establishment of a database for with locals can pose frequent challenges to It is essential to win the support of producers conditions during the harvest. seasonal agricultural workers); seasonal migrant workers as well. and initiate reforms that will not disadvantage ● Companies and civil society should engage ● establish clear roles and responsibilities for their livelihood. While working with producers, with agriculture intermediaries to provide all actors; Research findings demonstrate that a number it would be advisable to: case management and referral activities ● Conduct regular awareness-raising of immediate measures should be taken through intermediaries when child labor is trainings, experience-sharing meetings and by public institutions, non-governmental ● conduct regular trainings to raise awareness found. field visits for public actors; organizations, and the private sector.: about child labor and the need to improve ● appoint a specific actor responsible for workers’ conditions during the harvest; In the end, however, public organizations and coordinating regional efforts; ● improve infrastructure (electricity, water, institutions hold the solution to improving ● create institutional road maps to boost
gas, toilets) for workers living in harvest 23 According to the National Strategy on Elimination of Child Labor, workers’ conditions and eliminating child institutional ownership; regions; the Turkish government committed to perform the necessary studies to labor in the hazelnut harvest sector. All the ● cooperate more effectively with private amend the scope of the Labor Act and the Regulation on the Working ● establish child friendly spaces, play and Conditions of Agricultural and Forestry Works to apply to workplaces recommendations listed above require direct sector and nongovernmental organizations. sports centers, and summer schools in which employ 50 and more employees and the children who work in involvement of the public sector or at least its seasonal agricultural jobs under “Revisions in Legislative Framework selected areas to support the mental and and Measures Concerning Enforcement” measures. support.
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references ANNEXES
Gulcubuk, B. et al., Baseline Survey on Worst Forms of Child Labour in the Agricultural Sector: ANNEX I: Primary Data Collection Modules Children in Cotton Harvesting in Karatas, Adana. ILO, 2003
Gülçubuk, B.-Yasan,Z.,“İşsizlik Yoksulluk Göç Kıskacında Kırsal Alanda Kadın Emeği". International Multidisciplinary Women Congress, 13-16.September.2009, İzmir-TURKEY. Şanlıurfa Field: Communities
Gülçubuk, B.,“The Dimensions of Child Labour in Agriculture and its place in the Work Life in Şanlıurfa focus group discussion (field dates: January 2017) Turkey". 9th Conference of European Sociological, 02-05.September.2009, Lisboa-Portugal.
Gülçubuk, B., “The Impact of Globalization on Rural Poor in Turkey: The Case of Social Risk Şanlıurfa focus group discussion Mitigation Project". 9th Conference of European Sociological, 02-05.September.2009, Lisboa- Province/ Number of Number of Portugal. Gender Age Profile 1 Profile 2 District groups participants
Gulcubuk, B., “Child labor under the worst conditions: Child laborers in cotton production in 8 children of seasonal Turkey”. African Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 5(12), pp. 1388-1393, 18 June, 2010. 1 (4 women and women and men 10 – 14 worker families in 4 men) hazelnut harvest Gülçubuk B., “Tarımda Çocuk Emeği Sömürüsü ve Toplumsal Duyarlılık”, Çalışma ve Toplum, Individuals who reside in Hayati 2012/2, Issue 33, p. 75-93. 2 9 women 15 – 17 young worker Harrani neighborhood of Eyyübiye district, Gulcubuk, B. Does Act No 6331 on Occupatıonal Health and Safety Make Impacts on a neighborhood in seasonal agricultural Agrıculture?”. 2nd International Conference on Social Sciences and Education Research 3 10 women 25 – 45 Urfa that home to the worker largest number of November 04-06, 2016, Istanbul-TURKEY Şanlıurfa- Eyyübiye seasonal workers. district Gülçubuk, B. “Tarımın Görünen Fakat İstenmeyen Gerçekleri: Kadınlar ve Çocuklar”. Güncel 4 9 men 15 – 17 young worker Ekonomik Sorunlar. Gazi Kitapevi, Ankara, 2016. p.31-59 Families who work in hazelnut harvest/ agricultural intermediaries Lordoğlu K. and Etiler N. “Batı Karadeniz Bölgesinde Mevsimlik Gezici Tarım İşçiliğinde seasonal agricultural who brought workers 5 8 men 25 – 45 Çalışan Çocuklar Üzerine Sınırlı Bir Araştırma”, Çalışma ve Toplum, 2014,I:41, 115-133. worker to harvest during previous two years.
Şimşek, Z., Mevsimlik Tarım İşçilerinin Ve Ailelerinin İhtiyaçlarının Belirlenmesi Araştırması agricultural 6 10 men — UNFPA, Harran Üniversitesi, 2012, Şanlıurfa. intermediary
Yıldırak,N. - Gülçubuk, B. - Gün,S. -Olhan,E. -Kılıç, M., Türkiye’de Gezici ve Geçici Kadın Tarım İşçilerinin Çalışma ve Yaşam Koşulları ve Sorunları. Tarım-İş Sendikası Yayınları, Ankara,2003. Six focus groups were conducted in Şanlıurfa with the ● employment relations among garden owners, Şimşek, Z., Koruk, İ., “Çocuk İşçiliğinin En Kötü Biçimlerinden Biri: Mevsimlik Göçebe Tarım aim of garnering information on various workers’ and workers, agricultural intermediaries and other İşçiliği”, Çalışma Ortamı, Issue 105, 2009, p. 7-9. intermediaries’ conditions and assessing their specific actors; needs. Tanır, F., “Adana İlinde Çocuk İşçiliğinin En Kötü Biçimleri İçin Uygulanan Toplumsal İşbirliği ● perceptions among various actors regarding child Projesinin Sonuçlarına Bakış”, Nobel Medicus, Issue 3, Volume 5, 2009, p. 82-87 Key topics explored were: labor and education, with a special focus on factors obstructing access to education. www.csgb.gov.tr ● ability of workers and labor intermediaries to earn living wages and their general financial Agricultural intermediaries were interviewed separately www.duzce.gov.tr conditions; due to their special role in the sector — because they www.eyyubiye.gov.tr are involved in negotiations between workers and ● living and working conditions during harvest and employers, they are knowledgeable about both sides of www.ilo.org in workers’ home locations; key issues.
www.iskur.gov.tr
www.ordu.gov.tr
www.sakarya.gov.tr
www.tuik.gov.tr
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Şanlıurfa family in-depth interviews (field dates: January 2017) Black sea region: focus group discussion
After the focus groups, in-depth interviews were ● specific educational needs of children and Province/ Number of Number of Gender Age Profile 1 Profile 2 conducted with five female participants selected available opportunities in Şanlıurfa, with a special District groups participants from the groups in Şanlıurfa. The purpose of the focus on gender differences; interviews, conducted in the homes of participants, More than half proprietor’s was to delve more deeply into certain themes raised in ● cultural attitudes towards women’s role in the 1 6 women 30+ of the workers in spouses/relatives hazelnut harvesting the focus groups and to hear different actors’ views on family and in public life, and at different stages of for more than two controversial topics such as: their lives; years are migrants from other cities. ● ● proprietor employment conditions and opportunities in intricacies of families’ cost-benefit analysis Şanlıurfa- Eyyübiye 2 6 men 30+ (under 20 decares) Within the scope of the district Şanlıurfa, especially for women who might otherwise (child labor push-and-pull factors) and possible project, two to three stay home with their children during harvest; trade-off scenarios to prevent it. participants from each of the three villages (Küçük Karasu, Küçük proprietor 3 7 men 30+ Boğaz, Kuzuluk) in Ş anlıurfa interview/transect walk with mukhtar/neighborhood headman (over 20 decares) Sakarya were (field dates: January 2017) invited in the group.
An additional field study, atransect walk, was children’s parks, transportation services, water- More than half proprietor’s conducted in Şanlıurfa with the village headman supply sources, etc. (considering the size of 1 6 women 30+ of the workers in spouses/relatives of Hayati Harrani to identify specific resources in the neighborhood and limited input, interview hazelnut harvesting the neighborhood. The interview and walk sought results are presented in narrative form); for more than two years are migrants information for: from other cities. Düzce/Akçakoca proprietor ● an assessment of specific needs of seasonal 2 7 men 30+ district (under 20 decares) ● a resource mapping of active and inactive health- agricultural workers during harvest and off Within the scope of the buildings, schools and education services, season. project, three services participants were invited from each of proprietor 3 7 men 30+ the two villages (Beyören, (over 20 decares) Black Sea Field: Communities Balatlı) in Düzce.
Black Sea region focus groups (field dates: January-March 2017) Individuals conducting proprietor’s hazelnut harvesting 1 6 women 30+ spouses/relatives for more than two Researchers conducted nine focus groups in experiences and approaches to key topics. Also, years who employed selected Black Sea project locations to learn female producers were interviewed separately to at least one or two hazelnut garden owners’ own accounts of explore gender-based differences in producers’ roles migrant workers employment relations and to determine resources and experiences. from outside the city proprietor (Kabataş district welcomes that would address their needs. Owners of small and Ordu / Kabataş 2 6 men 30+ (under 20 decares) a limited number of district large (over 20-decare) gardens were interviewed Key topics explored during focus group discussions seasonal workers). separately to assess potential differences in their (FGDs) were: Within the scope of the project, two to three participants were proprietor 3 8 men 30+ invited from each of the (over 20 decares) three villages (Kuzuköy, Alankent, Ardıç) in Ordu.
● nature of farmers’ employment relations with ● their perceptions on child labor and its root different harvest actors (such as workers and causes; agricultural intermediaries); ● potential resources and opportunities to improve ● their views on conditions of workers during the conditions of workers and to facilitate their access harvest; to education.
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ANNEX 2: Harvesting Techniques
Hazelnuts are harvested in three ways: picking from product). Workers bring hazelnuts to the ground by trees, gathering from the ground, or mechanically. Brief shaking the branches or, in recent years, with shaking descriptions of these techniques follow. machines. Hazelnuts that remain on the branches are dropped with the help of long sticks. The hazelnuts are Harvesting from branches then picked from the ground and placed into baskets Widely used in the eastern Black Sea region and other and eventually sacked. It is important to gather hazelnuts mountainous areas, harvesting from branches refers quickly, for if left on the ground, mold forms. to workers picking ripe unshelled hazelnuts one by one and placing them in baskets; the baskets are then Mechanical harvesting transported to a central gathering location and put in Due to land conditions, high costs and the small scale sacks. Workers skilled in this technique are careful of most farmers, mechanization harvesting is not much to avoid twigs and buds and must be cautious not to used. Various models vacuum hazelnuts shaken from damage the branches themselves. trees into reservoirs using a vacuum system. Some models also employ a shelling apparatus, combining Harvesting from ground two processing steps. Some producers hold the view In this harvesting approach, hazelnuts are picked when that machine harvesting will become more widespread fully ripe, which is why yield and quality is perfect (and over the next years by medium- and large-scale branches and twigs are not harmed, assuring next year’s enterprises on flat land. Transect walks with mukhtars/village headman (field dates: January-March 2017)
Beyond the FGDs, eight transect walks with the children’s parks, transportation services, water- ANNEX 3: Basic Provisions of Agricultural Intermediation Regulation mukhtars of each village/neighborhood were conducted supply sources, etc. (the maps are available as to identify specific resources in the communities. The appendices to this report); According to the Agricultural Intermediation c) provide laborers with necessary information about interviews and walks sought information for: Regulation of the Turkish Employment Agency the scope of work, wages and other matters before ● assessments of the nature and dynamics of published in the Official Gazette in May 2010, “natural work begins; ● resource mappings of active and inactive health- the relations between village locals and seasonal or legal persons authorized by the Agency to carry out d) make the necessary applications at the local services buildings, schools and education services, workers. the duty of finding work and employment in agriculture” municipal administrative offices to ensure that the shall be deemed to be intermediaries. In other words, workers are housed in acceptable accommodations; intermediaries must obtain permission documents from e) supervise workers and monitor employers in Şanlıurfa and Black Sea Fields: Institutions and Community Leaders the agency to practice their trade. order to ensure secure movement between the accommodations and workplace; According to Article 5 of the regulation, intermediaries f) ensure that employers pay workers according to In-depth interviews with officials at public institutions and nongovernmental are prohibited from collecting commissions from the agreed-upon schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, organizations and with community leaders (field dates: January-March 2017) workers; fees must be paid by the employer. per piece, lump sum, etc.); g) ensure that daily gross earnings of workers are In each of the provinces, researchers conducted necessary, officials of district organizations were also According to Article 6 of the regulation, intermediaries equal to the minimum wage stated in Article 39 of interviews with governors and deputy governors; interviewed, including district education directorates must be Turkish citizens, be 18 years of age or older, Labor Law No. 4857. provincial directorates of the Ministry of Family and district agriculture directorates. and to be at least a primary-school graduate. and Social Policies; district directorates of According to Article 13 of the regulation, intermediaries National Education; provincial directorates of Key topics explored during these interviews were: According to Article 7 of the regulation, intermediary must report annually to the agency. Turkish Employment Agency; provincial public- permission documents are valid for three years and must health directorates; GAP Regional Development ● perception of and experience with subjects such be renewed at end of this period after further review. According to Article 14 of the regulation, certificates of Administration; Seasonal Agricultural Workers as child labor (root causes and preventive measures) intermediaries will be canceled if: Monitoring Board; mayors; provincial directorates of and improvement of workers’ conditions; According to the Article 11 of the regulation, authorized a) the intermediary has falsified qualifications food, agriculture and livestock; agricultural chambers; natural or legal persons who wish to function as specified in Article 6; chambers of commerce/commodity exchanges; ● defined responsibilities and available resources; intermediaries must: b) the intermediary transfers his certification to village headman/mukhtars; and imams and teachers. a) provide the agency with copies of contracts they another person in violation of Article 10; The interviews were intended to glean information to ● specific institutional needs and gaps; make with employers and workers within 10 working c) the intermediary fails to provide reports as evaluate the viewpoints of institutional and community days from the execution date; stipulated by Article 13 and/or provides incorrect leaders on key topics of this research and to assess ● Potential for collaboration with other institutions for b) eschew fees and charges other than those shown information in the reports; their capacity and resources. When it was deemed sustainable solutions. in contracts approved by the agency; d) the intermediary has received recruitment fees.
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