This research delves into the changing dynamics of child labor at Hereke Factory during the transition from the late Ottoman Empire to the early years of the Republic of Turkey. Hereke Factory originally started as a private broadcloth facility in 1842. After its transformation into an imperial factory (Hereke Fabrika-yı Hümayun) in 1845, it played a significant role in modernization initiatives of the late Ottoman Empire, producing textiles and carpets for both local and international markets. In 1925, the factory came under the ownership of the Industry and Metal Bank (Sanayi ve Maadin Bankası), later transferring to Sümerbank in 1933 as a state economic enterprise. The Hereke campus served not only as a factory but also as a philanthropic institution where those in need were employed. The factory launched darüleytam (ottoman orphanage) in 1915 sheltering the needy orphans during First World War. In 1921, during Armistice period, a group of male and female immigrants and refugees (muhacir ve mülteciler) were directed to Hereke Imperial Factory, having sought the directorate's assistance for protection and suitable employment. Among these refugees there were also children and youth. Following Hereke's transition to the Industry and Metal Bank, and particularly after its transfer to Sümerbank, the construction of housing for both civil servants and workers persisted at the factory. The Republic introduces a new concept of labor, shaping this understanding around the family. However, the utilization of orphaned children as laborers also endured post-war. This investigation zeroes in on a distinct cohort of eighty to ninety orphan girls who were introduced to the factory in 1926. These girls lived in a residence with two spacious wards and occupied four rooms within the factory premises. They not only engaged in factory production but also took part in daily training activities that adhered to a specific approach to health and the body. Areas designated for public recreation and collective sports played a pivotal role in molding the nascent national workforce. These activities encompassed a variety of disciplines such as football, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, and running. This research illuminates the evolving dynamics of recreational facilities at Hereke Factory in the closing years of the Ottoman Empire and the initial years of the Republic of Turkey. This research explores the impact of the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey on the profile of workers, specifically children, and the health programs implemented for them.
Architecture & Urban Planning
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