Survey Links Turkish Vocational Education to Exploitation of Young Workers
What happened
A survey of 530 young and child workers in Türkiye found that their daily lives are defined by poverty wages, long working days, and workplace accidents. The system, which the government under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expanded, allows high school students in Vocational Training Centers (MESEM) to spend four days a week at work and only one day at school. Participants reported that the system provides employers with cheap labor under legal cover, justifying low wages through 'student' status.
From wsws.org
Why it matters
The expansion of the vocational education system is reported to provide employers with cheap labor. The structure of the system allows students to be treated as low-wage apprentices, which affects labor costs in sectors such as automotive and metalworking.
From wsws.org
Who's involved
- Recep Tayyip ErdoğanLed the government that expanded the vocational education system.
- Justice and Development PartyThe conservative-democratic political party of the government.
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The entities involved
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President of Turkey since 2014