Thirteen-year-old child worker dies in factory accident

Adana - Doğan News Agency

Ahmet Yıldız was able to pay his school expenses with the wage he earned at the plastic manufacturing plant. DHA photo

A child laborer died while working in a plastic manufacturing plant in the southern province of Adana on March 15.

Ahmet Yıldız, 13, worked at the factory every day after school for 100 Turkish Liras (less than $60) per week. Yıldız died from heavy injuries sustained after his head was caught in a pressing machine.

When Yıldız was taken to the hospital, doctors were told that his wounds were caused by a car accident, a police investigation revealed. The owner of the plant, identified as Ali K., was detained as part of the investigation launched into the incident.

Meanwhile, Yıldız’s parents said that they did not know their child was doing heavy-duty labor at the factory. "We thought he was bringing cups of tea and cleaning the place. It seems that they put him in charge of the pressing machine," said his brother, Tahir Yıldız.

Thanks to the weekly wage, Ahmet Yıldız, the youngest of seven children, was able to pay for his school expenses, his brother added.