ILO before and after Soma

They first convey their condolences and sorrow. Then they start asking questions: “Why do you have so many mine accidents? What exactly happened in Soma? How are your mines inspected? The hike in the number of mine accidents is extraordinary; aren’t there any measures being taken?”

It is covered as a tiny news story, the story of a delegation from the International Labor Organization (ILO) holding meetings and visiting Ankara and Istanbul after the Soma disaster. In this delegation ILO’s Europe Regional Deputy Director Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard, ILO mining expert Martin Hahn and three Turkish experts from ILO office in Turkey were present.

The ILO delegation was not able to meet Labor Minister Faruk Çelik; they met the deputy minister. Additionally, they met with trade unions under Türk-İş and DİSK.

One week before

The Soma disaster happened May 13. A meeting was held one week before the disaster with the ILO in Geneva, attended by labor unions and employer unions, as well as government representatives. There, the ILO questioned the government:

“In Turkey, labor accidents happen the most in mines and then next in construction sites. Turkey still has not signed the ILO agreement as a measure.”

In Geneva, the ILO warned one more time; occupational health, occupational safety, checks in mines and construction zones were discussed. This happened one week before the disaster. For months, there were warnings internationally and domestically. Nobody was listening to them.

Soma yesterday

Before Soma, Turkey was on the ILO’s blacklist. The ILO delegation that came to investigate Soma will write a report, I guess. In addition...