ILO Hosts Workshop on Labour Market Inclusion for Disadvantaged Groups in Türkiye

Salih Gökçe Görgeç, Governance and Compliance Officer at the ILO Office for Türkiye, emphasized the importance of constitutional recognition of work and social security rights.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Türkiye convened a major workshop on August 23, 2024, in Ankara, focusing on the "Labour Market Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups." This event, part of the “Supporting Resilience and Social Cohesion with Decent Livelihood Opportunities” Project, marks the first of several thematic workshops aimed at enhancing workforce integration for refugees and other vulnerable populations in Türkiye.

The workshop, which attracted representatives from workers' and employers' organizations, public institutions, civil society, and international bodies, aimed to raise awareness among key labour market stakeholders about adhering to fundamental principles and rights at work. Discussions highlighted non-discrimination practices with a particular emphasis on the challenges faced by refugees in the Turkish labour market.

Salih Gökçe Görgeç, Governance and Compliance Officer at the ILO Office for Türkiye, emphasized the importance of constitutional recognition of work and social security rights. He noted that discrimination not only impacts disadvantaged groups but also undermines the entire labour market, leading to increased informality and poor working conditions. Görgeç called for collective action and effective strategies to address these issues and improve conditions for all disadvantaged groups.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions about the state of disadvantaged groups in the labour market, focusing on refugees. Panels addressed challenges such as transitioning to formal employment and job matching complexities, with experts and academicians sharing global best practices. These discussions aimed to develop sustainable strategies for non-discriminatory and inclusive labour practices.

The workshop underscored Türkiye's commitment to the ILO Discrimination Convention (1958) No.111, given its role as the largest host country for refugees globally. The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among stakeholders to achieve employment equality and eliminate discrimination.

A comprehensive report summarizing the workshop’s findings and recommendations will be prepared by the ILO Office for Türkiye. This report is expected to guide future policies and projects focused on enhancing labour market inclusion.

Financed by the United States Government, this workshop represents a crucial step towards fostering more inclusive and equitable employment practices in Türkiye, particularly for the most disadvantaged groups.