Child worker killed after falling from construction site in Manisa

A 16-year-old high school student, identified as Z.D., lost his life after falling from the fifth floor of a construction site in Alaşehir, Manisa.

The incident occurred on the evening of September 25 at a construction site on Gümüşpala Street in İstasyon Neighborhood, where Z.D. was involved in electrical installation work on the fifth floor.

Following a report from fellow workers, a medical team arrived at the scene and provided initial medical attention to Z.D. before transferring him to Alaşehir State Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Z.D.'s funeral took place on September 26 in Alaşehir. The child worker’s body was brought to Kadı Şeyh Mosque, where funeral prayers were offered, followed by his burial. Alaşehir Deputy Mayor Erol Kacar was also in attendance at the funeral.

The police have initiated an investigation into the incident and detained the owner of the installation company, Ş.B., and the foreman, R.Y.

Z.D. was an 11th-grade student in the Electrical Installations and Panel Mounting Department at the Sümer Oral Vocational Education Center in Alaşehir. It was revealed that he attended school one day a week, dedicating the rest of his time to working on electrical installation projects.

About vocational training centers

Vocational Training Centers (MESEM) are secondary level vocational schools under the Ministry of National Education. They were established by a decision published in the Official Gazette on December 9, 2016.

MESEM aims to include apprenticeship education within formal and compulsory education. The goal is for apprentice students to learn their trades on the job with the guidance of experienced mentors, following the traditions of the apprentice-master relationship.

The duration of training at MESEM is four years. Students receive theoretical education at school for one day a week and practical training in businesses for four days a week. Vocational training continues from the first year to the final year, with students taking journeyman exams at the end of the third year and master exams at the end of the fourth year.

The Ministry of National Education provides apprentice students with 30% of the minimum wage and journeyman students with 50% of the minimum wage.

Critics have long argued that Vocational Training Centers exploit students' educational rights, using them as cheap labor. This practice, they argue, legitimizes child labor. (HA/VK)