ANKARA (ILO News) – The Regulation on the Work Permits for Foreigners under Temporary Protection Act has been published in the Official Gazette on 15 January 2016. The Regulation allows foreigners under temporary protection to apply for work permits, and determines the procedures and principles related to their employment.

Numan Özcan, Director of the ILO Office in Turkey, welcomed the decision saying that “this will help moving refugees to the formal economy, enabling them to build a decent life for their families and giving them an opportunity to contribute to our society. Legal and formal work of refugees will lead to improved working conditions, allow social protection, and will benefit not only the refugees themselves but also labour markets and the economy”.

Özcan added that “the ILO stands ready to assist the Government and social partners to turn this step into an opportunity for decent work and decent life for refugees and host communities”.

The ILO continues to support efforts to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey, as it has been doing to the other four neighboring countries impacted by the crisis in the region, through policy advocacy, field studies and analysis, capacity building, identification of employment and training opportunities, and the promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work – for both, refugees and host communities affected by the crisis.