HUDA PAR Batman Provincial Chairman Davut Şahin said that the government should make serious reforms towards seasonal agricultural workers. Şahin made statements on problems and troubles experienced by the seasonal workers those come to agenda every year by mortal accidents.

Şahin stated that the situation of seasonal agricultural workers is a socioeconomic reality, continued, “Especially because of the people of the region are unemployed, they are mainly as families go to in the Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions during certain seasons of the year in order to be able to contribute to the family budget. Because unemployment is in peak level in Batman, so many families go to the Black Sea, Central Anatolia and Aegean regions to work in agriculture in this season.”

Although it is known that the workers have great problems, the authorities have not found any solution to this problem said Şahin and added that “They take great distresses from the place where they are going to work. Unfortunately, the problems of these segments usually come to the agenda of Turkiye after traffic accidents happen. They are often exposed to mortal and wounded traffic accidents. And then it came to the agenda of Turkiye and they began to discuss about the problems of these workers. Apart from that, this section is unfortunately forgotten.”

Pointing out that workers have to work on very difficult conditions, Şahin continued, “Workers continue their lives in very primitive conditions in the regions they go. Of course, despite all the hardships, the wages they pay are very low. Unfortunately, we are sorry for the problems that arise because of some negativities originating from the region with the people there, especially as we call social rights.”

“There is no single state facility where large employment can be formed in the region”

Şahin, who also offered suggestions for solutions to the problems experienced by seasonal agricultural workers, said, “To ensure that the people of the region do not have to comply with these living conditions, employment areas that will increase employment should be established. There is no single state facility where large-capacity employment can be formed in the region. For example, in Batman there is a Turkish Petroleum Company that employs workers to produce employment in a large scale, and it has been shrinking in recent times. In this way, our families are forced to go to work in western countries to work on their family budgets, and they face major problems.”

“Circulars must be converted into law to remedy the grievances”

Şahin emphasized that the workers suffered great grievances and that this victimization had to be resolved as soon as possible, “It seems that in 2010 the Prime Minister issued a circular on these workers' concerns, but this issued general remained on paper only. According to the research we have done and the information we received from the workers we talked, that circular has not reflected in to the field, and workers have not acquired their rights. The state should take this sector seriously and transform it into a law to eliminate their grievances. This circular should be followed by a mechanism to see whether it is reflected or not. Without supervision, some laws remain on paper only.”

“Serious improvements towards seasonal agricultural workers should be done”

Şahin pointed out that one of the biggest problems of seasonal agricultural workers is their uninsured work. Finally, Şahin said: “They are employed at low wages which are not fit their labor. They are particularly at risk of transportation. Some of the workers we talked to once said, ‘Agricultural products we collect are loaded on trailers and we have to go somewhere with the products on the trailer.’ Therefore, traffic accidents happen most of the time. The state should make serious improvements for seasonal agricultural workers.” (M. Fatih Akgül - ILKHA)