Local public stakeholders increase knowledge and awareness on responsible business conduct in Türkiye’s hazelnut sector

Local public stakeholders increase knowledge and awareness on responsible business conduct in Türkiye's hazelnut sector

12 June 2026

Provincial seminars held in Ordu, Giresun and Sakarya.

ORDU, GİRESUN, SAKARYA (ILO News)- The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Türkiye organized a series of provincial seminars to strengthen local public stakeholders' knowledge and engagement on responsible business conduct (RBC) and child labour prevention in seasonal hazelnut harvesting.

The seminars were held on 11 May 2026 in Ordu, 12 May 2026 in Giresun, and 13 May 2026 in Sakarya within the framework of ILO Public Private Partnerhips projects on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in seasonal agriculture in hazelnut harvesting in Türkiye implemented with the financial contributions of the Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of Europe (CAOBISCO) and FERRERO.

The seminars held in Ordu, Giresun and Sakarya brought together representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Türkiye, the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, Health, Family and Social Services, governorships, local administrations, agricultural and trade chambers, workers' and employers' organizations, universities and civil society organizations, and emphasized the importance of translating awareness into concrete local action.

The seminars focused on strengthening understanding of child labour concepts, international labour standards, the ILO MNE Declaration (the tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy the MNE Declaration is the ILO instrument that provides direct guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices), and responsible business conduct approaches within the framework of ILO's Decent Work Agenda in agricultural supply chains. The seminars also promoted dialogue among local actors on operational challenges, prevention approaches, and coordinated responses to child labour risks in seasonal agriculture.

Representatives of Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Türkiye, the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, Health, Family and Social Services, governorships, local administrations, agricultural and trade chambers, workers' and employers' organizations, universities and civil society organizations.

Discussions underscored the shared responsibility of public institutions, employers, workers' organizations, local actors, and supply chain actors in preventing child labour and promoting decent work in agricultural supply chains, in line with the principles of the ILO MNE Declaration. Participants further highlighted the importance of social dialogue, workplace rights, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), and cooperation among actors as key elements for advancing sustainable and responsible supply chain practices.

Through these seminars, the ILO Office for Türkiye aims to strengthen local institutional engagement, promote responsible business conduct in agricultural supply chains, and support more coordinated and preventive approaches to eliminating child labour in seasonal hazelnut harvesting in the country. These efforts also contribute to Türkiye's strong commitment on elimination of child labour under Alliance 8.7, where Türkiye participates as a Pathfinder Country.