The ongoing migration of workers from Van (Wan) and surrounding Kurdish provinces to western Turkey continues to increase each year due to unemployment and economic hardships. However, this migration, combined with harsh working conditions, inadequate workplace safety, and a lack of oversight in the construction sector, has led to tragic consequences. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the death rate among Kurdish workers moving from Van, Muş, and Ağrı to major cities like Istanbul, İzmir, and Kocaeli for work.

27 workers from Van lost their lives within one year

Van has long been among the provinces experiencing high migration due to economic crises and unemployment. Many migrants head westward, seeking employment primarily in the construction and agricultural sectors. In 2022 alone, at least 56 workers from Van lost their lives due to workplace accidents, and during 2024 and the first two months of 2025, another 27 young workers from Van died as a result of similar accidents. Falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction sector.

Deaths in the construction sector continue unabated

Data from the Workers' Health and Work Safety Assembly (ISIG) shows that at least 1,897 workers lost their lives due to workplace accidents in 2024. A significant proportion of these fatalities occurred in the construction, agriculture, and transportation sectors. Deaths among construction workers, particularly caused by falls from heights, have reached alarming levels.

Şehmus Ayhan, a 23-year-old from Van’s Başkale district, lost his life after falling from the sixth floor of a construction site in Mersin. Similarly, Sinan Şahin from Van’s Çaldıran district died following a scaffolding accident. Numerous other Kurdish workers have also lost their lives in similar accidents in cities such as Izmir, Istanbul, Şanlıurfa, Samsun, and Kahramanmaraş.

Laws not enforced in practice, inspections inadequate

Occupational safety expert Mehmet Yılmaz emphasized that young people from the region are forced to migrate westward due to economic hardship, highlighting the inadequate safety measures in the construction sector. Yılmaz noted that although occupational safety laws implemented in 2012 initially brought positive developments, workplace fatalities have risen again in recent years: "Worker deaths in Turkey are significantly higher compared to European countries. The laws exist, but they're not enforced in practice. Inspections are inadequate, and employers disregard safety to reduce costs. Workers are forced into long working hours and often work on construction sites without sufficient training."

University students living in poverty also work in construction

Yılmaz pointed out that as unemployment in the region worsens, even young people of university age are compelled to move westward and work in construction to cover their education expenses, a situation particularly common during the summer holidays. Yılmaz stated: "Our people have no choice but to take these jobs. University students travel to western cities during semester breaks and summer vacations to support their families. However, these young people lose their lives due to inadequate workplace safety and also in traffic accidents during long bus journeys. Workplace fatalities in Turkey remain significantly higher than those in European countries."

Workers are unaware of risks

Yılmaz stated that occupational safety laws remain only on paper, highlighting that both employers and workers lack awareness and fail to take necessary precautions. He said that "inspections are conducted only on documents. Workers neglect safety measures such as harnesses and helmets to work longer hours. Young people from Van face increased risks of falling and accidents at construction sites. Employers do not care about workers' lives, neglecting safety measures to reduce costs and maximize profits. There is no proper inspection in Turkey; occupational safety laws are not enforced, and consequently, an average of five workers lose their lives in workplace accidents every day."

Yılmaz said that occupational safety laws must be effectively enforced to prevent worker deaths, and underlined the importance of educating workers, strengthening safety measures, and imposing deterrent sanctions on employers.

Workplace fatalities in the construction sector remain a deadly issue for Kurdish workers due to inadequate safety measures and lack of oversight. Migration, unemployment, and harsh working conditions continue to put young Kurdish lives at risk, yet authorities have still not taken any concrete steps to address the issue.