OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WORKERS' DEATHS IN TURKEY AND A POLICY PROPOSAL

Abstract

Turkey has the third largest number of workplace fatalities in the world, and the highest number of workplace deaths in Europe. There are official records of 172 work accidents daily, 4 of which on average result in death and 6 of which result in permanent disability. In Turkey, these deaths are labelled "fate" or "accident". However, in reality, the causes are the combination of ignorance, lack of inspection, incapable subcontractors, and greediness to make more profit accompanied by unsigned Occupational Safety and Health contracts. As a whole, these reasons cause Turkey to have a "crime economy" which makes it a highly urgent obligation for Turkey to create a 'legal' basis for its market economy to create competitive, sustainable growth.