We exist together…

First concrete steps have been taken under the project “Technical Assistance for Improving Social Dialogue in Working Life” that aims at promoting social dialogue enhancing awareness on this issue in Turkey. Representatives from ILO and Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS) visited confederations of workers, employers and public employees

News | 30 November 2016
The project “Technical Assistance for Improving Social Dialogue in Working Life“ is funded jointly by the European Union and Turkish Government. In the context of the project, a delegation headed by Numan Özcan, ILO Director-Turkey and Nurcan Önder, General Director of Labour, MoLSS visited DİSK, HAK-İŞ, KAMU-SEN, KESK, MEMUR-SEN, and TİSK. During these visits focus was on project priorities and opinions and suggestions of social partners.

Stating that they are engaged in intensive efforts to strengthen social dialogue in Turkey, ILO Turkey Director Numan Özcan said this initial visit to confederations by the ILO and Ministry is a sign of commitment to the project.

“We’ll try to overcome some difficulties and problems in implementation by working together and looking for common solutions. The project provides a sound basis in this respect”, said Özcan.

The General Director of Labour Nurcan Önder stressed their commitment to making intensive efforts to enhance the capacity of social partners and government in social dialogue.

Adopting a holistic approach, the project “Technical Assistance for Improving Social Dialogue in Working Life” aiming to promote social dialogue at all levels in Turkey gives priority to building and enhancing awareness on the need for social dialogue between social partners, relevant organizations and agencies and society in general.

The Central Finance and Contracts Unit is the programme authority of the project undersigned in August 2016 and implemented under the EU Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). While the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is the main beneficiary, the public, workers, employers, and employees of governmental organizations and agencies are regarded as ultimate beneficiaries of the project ‘Technical Assistance for Improving Social Dialogue in Working Life.’

The project consists of ‘service’ component of 2.5 million Euros and ‘grant’ component of 1 million Euros. The wide range of the project covers unions and confederations of workers, employers and public employees; unorganized workers and employers; education institutions, teachers, academics and students; personnel of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security personnel (including İŞKUR and SGK), Ministry of Interior (including security forces), Ministry of Justice (judges, prosecutors and labour courts), local governments, provincial employment and vocational training boards, and small-medium and large scale enterprises.

Outcomes expected from the project with duration of 24 months include enhanced capacity on the part of MoLSS, relevant agencies and social partners; higher levels in social dialogue: enhanced awareness at all levels on the part of institutions and public in freedom of association and social dialogue; and stronger mechanisms of social dialogue. Under the project ' Technical Assistance for Improving Social Dialogue in Working Life', it is foreseen to achieve the outcomes mentioned through comprehensive and multi-faceted initiatives, trainings, working visits, contests, publications, and an intensive work for information building.