In response to the ongoing child exploitation issues in vocational training centres (Mesleki Eğitim Merkezleri or MESEM) in Turkey, the pro-Kurdish party has demanded the closure of them and urged for the establishment of a Children Ministry to address systemic abuses.
“MESEM should be closed and a Children’s Ministry should be established,” asserted İhsan Seylan, co-spokesperson for the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s Child Commission, emphasising the dire state of child exploitation in Turkey.
The MESEM system was supposedly designed to provide vocational training to students, often involving practical skills development and internships. They cater predominantly to young individuals, including minors, aiming to prepare them for specific trades and professions. However, they have come under scrutiny for their role in the alleged exploitation of children as cheap labour under precarious conditions, which often prioritises the interests of businesses over the educational and welfare needs of the students.
During a press statement at the party headquarters, Seylan highlighted the grim statistics of child labour under the current government. “Children are seen as cheap labour, and over 160 million are being exploited under the brutal conditions of capitalism,” he stated. According to the Workers’ Health and Security Council (İSİG), between 2002 and 2023, at least 888 children were killed while employed, illustrating the severe impact of economic policies on the youngest members of society.
Seylan detailed how children, particularly in MESEM centres, are left at the mercy of employers under the guise of internships or vocational training. “Approximately 1.5 million students are enrolled in these centres, with about 300,000 under 18. These children are not only learning a profession but are also exposed to multifaceted violence and exploitation for the enrichment of capitalists,” he explained.
The call for the closure of these centres comes amid revelations of eight child deaths within the last year in MESEM alone. “Instead of holding those responsible accountable, the Education Ministry forces students to sign documents transferring all legal and financial responsibilities onto them and their parents [in case of any workplace accidents],” Seylan added.
Furthermore, Seylan proposed the creation of a Children’s Ministry to address and resolve structural issues in child welfare comprehensively. “The establishment of a Children’s Ministry is crucial not only for resolving these issues but also for allocating the necessary budget to protect our children,” he urged.
Seylan also advocated for the establishment of local Children’s Councils and the implementation of liberatory child policies at the municipal level. “Despite the grim reality, we believe that children can live freely in a world without exploitation. Building a democratic, communal economy is our strongest response to capitalism,” he concluded.
