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United Against Child Labor in Bornova

17 June 2025

“No Child Should Be Forced to Work”

An event was organized by Bornova Municipality in collaboration with the Bornova City Council and the Her Yer Çocuk (Children Everywhere) Association to mark June 12 - World Day Against Child Labor. Featuring an art exhibition, documentary screening, and panel discussion, the event sent strong messages against child labor. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized a zero-tolerance policy on the issue.

Held at the Uğur Mumcu Culture and Arts Center, the event hosted by Bornova Municipality highlighted the importance of children’s rights. Organized in partnership with the Bornova City Council and the İzmir Branch of the Her Yer Çocuk Association, the program included an art exhibition, a documentary screening, and a discussion panel.

“The most vile form of labor exploitation”

Bornova City Council President, Attorney Doğan Baran Mengüş, stated:
“One of our primary responsibilities is to work hand-in-hand with civil society organizations. Child labor is the most vile form of labor exploitation. We know that some ‘charming’ Western brands are growing thanks to child labor on cocoa plantations in Africa. This colonialist system still exists, and child labor remains a bleeding wound in our country,” highlighting both the global and local dimensions of the problem.

Children whose development is stifled

Psychologist Hatice Göz added:
“Any work that hinders the development and education of children under 15 or adolescents aged 15-17 qualifies as child labor — whether it’s 8 hours or 16 hours a day. We all see 5- to 6-year-old children in Bornova collecting paper with oversized bags,” drawing attention to the disturbing reality.

Mayor Eşki’s zero-tolerance commitment

In his remarks, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated:
“Ensuring that every child growing up in Bornova receives a safe and fair education is a top priority for our municipality. We will implement a city-wide zero-tolerance approach to child labor by strengthening our educational, social support, and monitoring mechanisms.”

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