Dear Ms. Sevgi Ates,

As you already are aware the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Republic of Turkey signed an agreement in the fields of labour, social security and employment on July 19 in 2016.  The agreement envisages that the parties shall exchange documents and information related to legislation regarding labour and social issues, including elimination of child labour and shall exchange experts reciprocally with the aim of benefiting from each other’s experiences.

Let me inform you that “Young Pedagogues Union” together with “Institute of Social Research and Analysis” conducted a survey and studied the practice of labour migration of juveniles from Adjara and Guria region to Turkey. The results of the survey are alarming as minors are working 9 hours per day, they are forced to leave schools, etc. and all this has a negative impact on their psycho-emotional development.

The Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia considers meeting with the Turkish side in order to negotiate on measures for eliminating child labour. The ultimate goal of the meeting shall be, first of all, exchanging information on existing mechanisms against child labour in both countries. Taking into consideration the fact that the above mentioned agreement envisages cooperation in this direction, the Ministry expresses its hope that meeting of the experts and joint work will lead us to a relevant decision how to fight against labour of Georgian minors at the territory of Turkey.

Could you please propose the date and venue/country of the meeting?

Looking forward to our meeting, fruitful cooperation and subsequently, positive results.

Thank you,

Respectfully,

Lika Klimiashvili
Head of the Labour Relations and Social Partnership Division
Labour and Employment Policy Department

Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia 

(32) 2 51 00 11 (15 07)
+995 5 95 97 77 44