t24.com.tr
MESEM Program: Exploitative Apprenticeships Expanding to Vocational High Schools
The MESEM program, integrating vocational training with apprenticeships, has seen a surge in exploitation of apprentices with reported wage theft, excessive work hours, and child labor deaths, prompting concerns about the 2025 plan to expand the model to vocational high schools.
- Who benefits from the MESEM program, and what are the immediate consequences for apprentices?
- The MESEM program, initially launched in 2016 and significantly expanded in 2021 under Minister Mahmut Özer, integrates vocational training with apprenticeships. Previously, employers paid a third of apprentices' wages; the 2021 changes shifted this cost to the government, effectively providing employers with cheaper labor.
- What are the underlying causes of the exploitation of MESEM apprentices, and how does the system perpetuate this?
- This shift, driven by economic pressures and high unemployment, has led to exploitation of MESEM apprentices. Reports indicate widespread wage theft, excessive working hours exceeding legal limits, and even child labor fatalities, totaling at least 742 deaths between 2013 and 2024 according to the ISIG report.
- How might the expansion of the MESEM model to vocational high schools affect the overall labor market and the future of young workers?
- The 2025 Action Plan, aiming to improve the investment climate, includes expanding this model to vocational high schools. This aims to align vocational training programs with industry needs, potentially exacerbating existing labor exploitation issues and expanding the reach of underpaid apprenticeships.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is heavily framed to portray the MESEM program as exploitative and harmful. The selection of quotes, statistics (particularly the high number of child worker deaths), and overall tone are designed to elicit a negative reaction towards the program. The headline, if there were one, would likely emphasize the negative aspects.
Language Bias
The text uses strong, emotionally charged language such as "sömürü düzenine" (system of exploitation), "iki kuruş ücrete el koyan patronları" (bosses seizing two cents of wages), and "çocuk işçileri" (child laborers). These terms are not neutral and contribute to a negative portrayal of the MESEM program and employers. More neutral alternatives might include "vocational training program," "employers," and "young workers." The repetition of negative descriptions reinforces the bias.
Bias by Omission
The provided text focuses heavily on the negative consequences of the MESEM program and the exploitation of young workers, but omits any positive aspects or counterarguments that might exist. It doesn't present data on the success stories of MESEM graduates or the potential benefits of vocational training. The lack of this balanced perspective constitutes a bias by omission.
False Dichotomy
The text presents a false dichotomy by framing the MESEM program as solely beneficial to employers and detrimental to students. It overlooks the possibility of mutual benefits or alternative models that could address the concerns raised.
Gender Bias
The text does not contain explicit gender bias. However, the focus on exploitation applies to all young workers regardless of gender, possibly masking potential gendered dimensions of the exploitation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the exploitation of young workers in the MESEM program, indicating a negative impact on decent work and economic growth. The low wages, excessive working hours, and lack of worker protections violate labor rights and hinder the development of a fair and equitable economy. The expansion of this model to vocational schools further exacerbates these issues.