The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Türkiye, in partnership with the ILO Office for France, organized a one-week study visit to Paris as part of the EU-funded project "Elimination of Child Labour in Seasonal Agriculture" led by the Türkiye Office. Held from 16 to 21 September 2023, the visit included 17 representatives from Türkiye's Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the ILO Office for Türkiye.
Throughout the visit, participants shared experiences and best practices on addressing child labour and managing seasonal agricultural work. The discussions provided valuable insights into regulations and practical measures for formalizing labour in the agricultural sector. The ILO Office for France played a key role in facilitating these exchanges, ensuring a productive collaboration between Türkiye and France.
France, as a major player in global agriculture and a host country for seasonal migrant workers, was an ideal location for this exchange. The country's longstanding commitment to eradicating child labour and its active participation in Alliance 8.7, the global initiative aimed at addressing forced labour and child labour, further emphasized the relevance of the discussions.
Türkiye, recently designated as a Pathfinder country within Alliance 8.7, has made significant progress in combating child labour. The ILO has been a key partner in supporting Türkiye's journey, providing technical assistance to further its goals. This study visit facilitated the exchange of knowledge between two committed nations, reinforcing their dedication to eliminating child labour in agriculture.
During the visit, the delegation met with prominent stakeholders, including, Anousheh Karvar, French Government Delegate to the ILO and the G7-G20 Labor-Employment, French Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Health; Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Interior, French Office for Combating Illegal Work, the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT), and the National Association for Employment and Training in Agriculture (ANEFA). Meetings also took place with the Turkish Embassy in Paris and French business leaders, which includes representatives from the private sector committed to improving working conditions in global supply chains.
The study visit served as an essential forum for in-depth discussions on the formalization of agricultural labour and the elimination of child labour in France and Türkiye. Participants focused on tailored approaches to address the specific challenges each country faces, with a particular emphasis on identifying practical and scalable solutions that can be adapted to the unique contexts of both nations.
This exchange not only enhanced the participants' understanding of the key labour issues but also strengthened the bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and France. The visit helped lay the foundation for future collaboration in eradicating child labour in seasonal agriculture, reflecting the shared dedication of both countries to addressing these pressing issues.
The knowledge and strategies gained during the study visit are expected to play a critical role in shaping policy reforms in Türkiye, particularly in formalizing the agricultural workforce and eliminating child labour. The reinforced partnership between Türkiye and France stands as a model of international collaboration, offering valuable lessons for other countries confronting similar labour challenges.
The ILO remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that promote global cooperation and the development of effective strategies to ensure decent work for all. By facilitating these kinds of knowledge exchanges, the ILO continues to contribute to broader efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and improving labour formalization in agricultural sectors across the world.
