Turkey should develop a national policy to protect the health and ensure the security of all workers in the coal mining sector, while seeking to provide for the sustainable development of the country’s natural resources, a report published by TEPAV with ILO funding said

The ANKARA – Turkey should adopt a national policy aiming to improve the conditions of workers in the coal mining sector, a report published by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) said. The report “Contractual Arrangements in Turkey’s Coal Mines,” based on a study realized utilizing funds provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO) was published both in Turkish and English on the Turkish think tank’s website.

Highlighting the necessity of cooperation in the sector to develop Turkey’s natural resources sustainably and efficiently, the report focused on the conditions of coal miners in particular, making recommendations regarding the health and security of workers.

The entire management of the sector should be reviewed at a national level, from the distribution of licenses to the final operational stages, the report said, adding that the new legislative framework should also harmonize work health and safety practices in the sector with ILO standards.

The report also urged to increase the inclusiveness of the sectoral governance structures. It recommended involving non-governmental organizations in the process, such as the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers, Architects (TMMOB) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), along other NGOs, for the good governance of coal mining.