Breaking News: Ministry Announces 24-Month Grant Support! The Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt, made a breaking announcement. According to the Ministry, grant support will be provided for 24 months to improve occupational health and safety conditions in underground coal and metal mines.
Minister Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk stated that, within the scope of an EU-funded project aimed at improving occupational health and safety, grant support valid for 24 months will be paid to underground coal and metal mine workplaces. The operation, which began on November 21, 2019, is organized under the “Improving Occupational Health and Safety in the Mining Sector” initiative. The Ministry said the project aims to enhance health, safety and work performance and to create decent jobs for Turkey’s workforce.
Working Conditions Will Be Improved
The project, co-financed by Turkey and the EU with a budget of 17.5 million euros, includes technical assistance, financial support, guidance programs and a grant scheme. The initiative seeks to support improved working conditions based on proactive approaches in the mining sector and to raise public awareness. By improving the knowledge levels of all stakeholders involved, the project aims to further enhance workplace conditions.
Under the project, awareness will be raised through qualified training on occupational health and safety as well as search and rescue. In addition, face-to-face sessions and audiovisual materials will be prepared, targeting up to 36% of employees working in underground, coal and metal mining sectors. During the project, eligible underground coal and metal mine workplaces will receive financial support for appointing occupational health and safety specialists, conducting rescue trainings, and integrating the mining-specific TSE standard.
The Ministry also outlined several planned measures. Considering the difficulties of underground work, measures include monitoring toxic and explosive gases depending on the type of extracted ore, conducting control drilling against water inflows, providing two independent entrances and exits at mine portals, and installing mechanical ventilation systems.