8.2.4 Employment policy modern slavery

As Boğaziçi University, we respect the trade union and labour rights, freedom of association and collective bargaining rights of all our employees, including women and international staff. The University is committed to eliminating discrimination in the workplace based on factors such as religion, sexual orientation, gender and age. In this context, we implement various policies and measures to protect and promote the rights of all our employees within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and international conventions. In addition, we act in accordance with national and international legislation to prevent forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour.

You can review the links below for detailed information and relevant legislation:

Related Links:

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Labour and Social Security National Guidelines on Working Life:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/92449/calisma-hayatina-iliskin-ulusal-rehber_ilkeler.pdf

ILO Conventions Ratified by Turkey:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/1332/tuerkiye-taraf%C4%B1ndan-onaylanan-ilo-soezle%C5%9Fmeleri.pdf

European Convention on Human Rights:

https://cte.adalet.gov.tr/Resimler/Dokuman/1982019151411aihs.pdf

Guidance on Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights:

https://inhak.adalet.gov.tr/Resimler/Dokuman/482020110927Guide_Art_4_TUR-4.maddeRehberiKolelik%20ve%20ZorlaCal%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1rma%20Yasagi.pdf

European Social Charter:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/1318/avrupa-sosyal-%C5%9Fart%C4%B1.pdf

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child:

https://www.unicef.org/media/52626/file

United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime:

https://inhak.adalet.gov.tr/Resimler/Dokuman/2312020102044bm_45.pdf

Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings:

https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2016/04/20160407-16.pdf

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-8 (Related Section)

Employment Policy Against Modern Slavery

Boğaziçi University fully complies with national and international legislation on the elimination of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour. In line with this commitment, the university aims to provide a safe, equitable and respectful working environment for all its employees.

Constitution of the Republic of Turkey

Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey prohibits forced labour and drudgery, while Article 50 prevents individuals from being employed in jobs that are not suitable for their age, gender and physical strength. These provisions are taken as a basic guide in all employment policies of Boğaziçi University.

International Labour Conventions and Guarantees

Boğaziçi University is firmly committed to the various international conventions to which Turkey is a party in order to prevent forced labour and child labour. In this context:

ILO Forced Labour Convention No. 29 and Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No. 105 take measures against forced labour.
ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and Urgent Action Convention No. 182 on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour prohibit and prevent child labour.
The European Convention on Human Rights, the Revised European Social Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provide additional safeguards against forced labour and child labour.

Protocols to Combat and Protect against Trafficking in Human Beings

Boğaziçi University adopts and implements national and international measures against human trafficking. In this context:

Regulation on Combating Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims,
The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Convention) to which Turkey is a party and the additional ‘Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children,’
The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) provides guarantees for the prevention of trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims.

Boğaziçi University's Ethical Employment Policy

Boğaziçi University carries out a sensitive policy against forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour by complying with national and international legislation in all employment processes. With this approach, the university not only adheres to legal regulations, but also bears the responsibility to create a safe, fair and respectful work environment for every employee.

For detailed information and relevant legislation, you can review the links below

National Legislation

Constitution of the Republic of Turkey:

https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.2709.pdf

National Programme for the Prevention of Child Labour:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/1321/cocukisciligimucadele_2017_2023_en.pdf

Regulation on Combating Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims:

https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/File/GeneratePdf? mevzuatNo=21459&mevzuatTur=KurumVeKurulusYonetmeligi&mevzuatTertip=5

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Labour and Social Security National Guidelines on Working Life:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/92449/calisma-hayatina-iliskin-ulusal-rehber_ilkeler.pdf

European Social Charter:

https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/1318/avrupa-sosyal-%C5%9Fart%C4%B1.pdf