Compliance Quarterly Türkiye

Global

EU’s Pay Transparency Directive brings a need for new actions in the EU member countries

Read the full article, "Pay transparency: The EU directive creates a considerable need for implementation."

Bullying in the workplace: What employers should consider

Read the full article, "Bullying in the workplace: What employers should consider."

Türkiye

Regulation Regarding the Implementation of the International Labor Force Law (Regulation) is amended

On October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security published the Regulation Amending the Implementation Regulation of the International Workforce Law (Amendment Regulation). With the amendments, the durations and procedures for work permit exemptions have become more flexible. Accordingly, the work permit exemption period is extended from six months to three years, and the provision regarding visas issued for sports purposes was removed. Additionally, individuals covered under Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 will be granted exemptions based on notifications from the Ministry of Interior, and foreign press members will be evaluated within the scope of exemption for the duration of their duties, provided they have approval from the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency. 

The Amendment Regulation also stipulates that domestic applications for work permit exemptions shall be made within the legal residence period of the foreign national in Türkiye. Additionally, specific waiting periods (6 months, 12 months or calendar year) is defined for reapplications under the same exemption. Individuals exempted from work permit stipulated under Article 48(ş) of the Regulation will be evaluated as exceptions for exemption These amendments have made international workforce regulations more flexible and functional.

Relaunch of the Project on Supporting Registered Women’s Employment Project (Women-Up) is announced

Funded by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye and implemented by the General Directorate

of Insurance Premiums of the Social Security Institution, the Women’s Employment Promotion Project (Women-Up) is being relaunched in Istanbul, Ankara, Samsun and Aydın. The project aims to protect women entrepreneurs against unfair competition, increase their resilience in the business world and increase formal female employment in Türkiye. A total of 2,100 women employers and 2,100 women employees will benefit from the project. 

Accordingly, women employers will be able to make their pre-applications through the e-Government platform as of August 19, 2024. Within the scope of the project, 500 female employers in Ankara, 800 in Istanbul, 400 in Aydın and 400 in Samsun will receive grant support up to the net amount of the minimum wage for the additional female employees they will employ in their businesses.

Communiqué on the Implementation of the Decision on New Employment Support in Investments for Workplaces with Investment Incentive Certificate is published

The Communiqué Amending the Communiqué on State Aids in Investments was published on August 24, 2024 (Communiqué). Through the amendment, a new type of support called Additional Insurance Premium Employer’s Share Support (ISPİH) is introduced aiming to encourage women and youth employment and more use of domestic production in renewable energy investments.

This support will be applied within the scope of incentive certificates issued on or after June 29, 2021, and will enter into force after the expiry of the existing insurance premium employer share support. In addition, domestically produced solar panels were included in the scope of incentives at certain stages for solar energy investments, while generators and nacelles produced abroad were supported under certain conditions for wind energy investments. 

New conditions regarding age and working time have been introduced for women and young employees to be included in the scope of support. Young employees who will benefit from the support must be between the ages of 18 and 26 as of the first day of each month and the number of people to be employed must not exceed the maximum employment specified in the incentive certificates. 

Accordingly, the amount of support utilized cannot exceed the maximum support limit specified in the incentive certificates.