BLOOD-CHILLING BALANCE SHEET ON WORK MURDER: At Least 206 Workers Lost Their Lives in September; Nine-Month Loss Reached 1566

According to the report published by the Worker Health and Worker Safety (ISIG) Assembly, at least 206 workers lost their lives in September 2025 in Turkey as a result of work murders. Thus, the number of workers who lost their lives in the first nine months of the year was recorded as 1566. The report once again revealed the precariousness in the agriculture, construction and transportation sectors in the sectoral distribution of deaths, while drawing attention to the reality of MESEM in child labor deaths and violence against migrant workers.

The September 2025 Work Killings Report, based on information gathered from national/local press, trade unions, relatives and colleagues, has been published. The data shows that the frightening picture of worker deaths continues to increase. The report commemorated the workers who lost their lives and sent greetings to the Palestinian people resisting Zionist Israel.

Most Deaths in Agriculture, Construction and Transportation

The agriculture sector was at the top of the 206 worker deaths in September. A total of 49 workers died in agriculture, 27 of whom were farmers and 22 of whom were agricultural workers. Agriculture was followed by construction with 43 fatalities, and it is noteworthy that 35 percent of these fatalities occurred in earthquake zones. In third place was transportation with 34 worker fatalities due to deaths of drivers.

The report cited the prevalence of precarious work and weak union organizing as common characteristics of these three industries.

Distribution of deaths in other sectors:

• Industry: 64 workers

• Service: 49 workers

Emphasis on Child and Migrant Workers

The report devoted a special section to child labor deaths. At least 9 child laborers lost their lives in September. Five of these children worked in agriculture, two in trade, one in food and one in metalworking.

The dangers in the Vocational Training Centers (VET) system were highlighted, and the death of 17-year-old Yağız Yıldız, a student at MESEM, at the Karabük Iron and Steel Works (Kardemir), where he was doing his internship, when a scrap winding machine fell on him, was shared as a painful example.

Violence against Migrant Workers: Murder by Torture

The report also raised the issue of the harsh conditions and violence that migrant workers are subjected to in precarious and unorganized employment. Moldovan migrant worker Nicolai Palamarcıuc, who was tortured to death by the boss's son, brother and his men at his workplace in Başakşehir, Istanbul was described in full detail. The call of Nicolai's brother and mother "We want justice, don't be silent" was highlighted in the report. The OHS Assembly reacted to the secrecy surrounding the investigation, claiming that information was being withheld from the public.

Causes of Death and Trade Union Status

The leading cause of death was traffic/service accidents (53 deaths), with 66% of these deaths occurring in agriculture and transportation sectors due to long working hours, inappropriate vehicle and road conditions. The second place was taken by crushing/tripping (38 deaths) and the third place was taken by falls from height (32 deaths).

At least 205 of the 206 workers who lost their lives were non-unionized (99.52 percent). Only 1 worker (0.48 percent) was a union member. The unions were criticized in the report for not even embracing their deceased members and not providing clear information.

Unassigned Teachers and Students Also Died

The report highlighted the deaths of Erhan Deniz (25), a teacher working as a plasterer in a construction site because he had not been appointed, due to contact with a high-voltage line, and Maşallah Oktan (22), a university student who was going to work as a seasonal agricultural worker to pay for his school fees, in a bus accident as dramatic consequences of the precarious working conditions caused by unemployment and economic difficulties in the country.

Source: ISIG assembly