“Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” Project Launched
Minister Işıkhan: "Developing robust, inclusive and effective labour inspection systems in the labour market is vital to ensure legislative compliance, as it will pave the way for more decent working conditions in all sectors. I sincerely believe that our project will contribute to the creation of decent work environments." <br/><br/> Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye: "Our goal in the project is to improve both the institutional capacity of the relevant parties and workplace compliance. Workplace compliance is the concrete result and outcome through which we ensure that decent work is recognized.
7 March 2024
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ANKARA (ILO News) - The opening ceremony of the " Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” Project of the International Labour Organization (ILO) was held in Ankara.
The Project, funded by the European Union (EU) and coordinated by the ILO and the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection (DoGI) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, was launched at a ceremony attended by Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labour and Social Security; Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye; Odoardo Como, Head of Financial Cooperation and First Undersecretary at the EU Delegation to Türkiye; and representatives of social partners and stakeholder organizations.
In his speech, Minister Işıkhan emphasized the critical role of the DoGI under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, stating that inspection and follow-up is the final stage of public services and the most important component of the process.
He noted that while contributing to Türkiye's growth and increasing employment, the Ministry also implements sensitive measures to increase the welfare and ensure the safety of workers, and added: "In this context, such issues as working hours, wages, occupational safety and health, the welfare of workers, the employment of women, children and young people, as well as informality, unemployment, employment and labour market practices have an important place on our agenda. Inspection activities, including investigations, examinations and audits of the implementation of all legislative provisions related to working conditions and the environment are carried out by the Ministry's labour inspectors. Every project implemented in this area makes positive contributions to the successful completion of our corporate activities. As you know, the main objective of Türkiye’s 12th National Development Plan is to provide decent work opportunities for all segments of society and to increase the employment rate of groups subject to special policies, particularly women and young people. Developing robust, inclusive and effective labour inspection systems in the labour market is vital for legislative compliance, as it paves the way for more decent working conditions in all sectors.”
He concluded: “I believe with all sincerity that the ‘Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue’ Project we have launched today will contribute to the creation of decent work environments for various groups, such as informal labour, women and young workers, the disabled and foreign workers.”
Noting that the project is aligned with the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a specific focus on Goal 8 (on decent work and economic growth), Goal 5 (on gender equality), Goal 10 (on reducing inequalities) and Goal 16 (on targeting peace, justice and strong institutions), Hassan said "I say that while confident of the constructive contribution of the UN system in Türkiye with its multi-dimensional engagement in support of the country’s national development plan.”
Also highlighting the importance of the panel organized as part of the launch event, Hassan said, “The contributions of employers’ and workers’ organizations will be valuable for us in order to understand how social dialogue could be promoted and strengthened in labour inspection activities and planning”.
Hassan thanked the European Union Delegation to Türkiye for its partnership with the ILO and its support of the project and continued: " In pursuing the objectives of the project, we count on DoGI’s role in constructing and maintaining better working conditions and better working environment in Türkiye." Hassan concluded his remarks by expressing his thanks to the DoGI and the ILO staff.
Funded by the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-III), the project “Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” aims to increase the compliance of workplaces with International Labour Standards and to contribute to the creation of decent working environments.
The project was launched in 2023 and will run for 36 months, aiming primarily to improve the institutional capacities of the DoGI and social stakeholders, but also to increase awareness of the benefits of decent work by strengthening guidance services, with the ultimate goal of improving workplace compliance.
Among the beneficiary groups of the project, which will be conducted in the provinces of Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Bursa and Adana, are the relevant MoLSS staff, confederations, chambers of commerce, chambers of tradesmen and craftsmen, SMEs, NGOs, employees and employers, as well as trade unions and employers organizations at national and sectoral levels.
The Project, funded by the European Union (EU) and coordinated by the ILO and the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection (DoGI) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, was launched at a ceremony attended by Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labour and Social Security; Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye; Odoardo Como, Head of Financial Cooperation and First Undersecretary at the EU Delegation to Türkiye; and representatives of social partners and stakeholder organizations.
In his speech, Minister Işıkhan emphasized the critical role of the DoGI under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, stating that inspection and follow-up is the final stage of public services and the most important component of the process.
He noted that while contributing to Türkiye's growth and increasing employment, the Ministry also implements sensitive measures to increase the welfare and ensure the safety of workers, and added: "In this context, such issues as working hours, wages, occupational safety and health, the welfare of workers, the employment of women, children and young people, as well as informality, unemployment, employment and labour market practices have an important place on our agenda. Inspection activities, including investigations, examinations and audits of the implementation of all legislative provisions related to working conditions and the environment are carried out by the Ministry's labour inspectors. Every project implemented in this area makes positive contributions to the successful completion of our corporate activities. As you know, the main objective of Türkiye’s 12th National Development Plan is to provide decent work opportunities for all segments of society and to increase the employment rate of groups subject to special policies, particularly women and young people. Developing robust, inclusive and effective labour inspection systems in the labour market is vital for legislative compliance, as it paves the way for more decent working conditions in all sectors.”
He concluded: “I believe with all sincerity that the ‘Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue’ Project we have launched today will contribute to the creation of decent work environments for various groups, such as informal labour, women and young workers, the disabled and foreign workers.”
“Our emphasis is on decent work” – Mr. Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye
“Our goal under the project is to improve both the institutional capacity of the relevant parties and workplace compliance. Workplace compliance is the concrete result and outcome through which we ensure that decent work is recognized” said Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye.Noting that the project is aligned with the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a specific focus on Goal 8 (on decent work and economic growth), Goal 5 (on gender equality), Goal 10 (on reducing inequalities) and Goal 16 (on targeting peace, justice and strong institutions), Hassan said "I say that while confident of the constructive contribution of the UN system in Türkiye with its multi-dimensional engagement in support of the country’s national development plan.”
Also highlighting the importance of the panel organized as part of the launch event, Hassan said, “The contributions of employers’ and workers’ organizations will be valuable for us in order to understand how social dialogue could be promoted and strengthened in labour inspection activities and planning”.
Hassan thanked the European Union Delegation to Türkiye for its partnership with the ILO and its support of the project and continued: " In pursuing the objectives of the project, we count on DoGI’s role in constructing and maintaining better working conditions and better working environment in Türkiye." Hassan concluded his remarks by expressing his thanks to the DoGI and the ILO staff.
Panel on Strengthening Social Dialogue for the Future of Labour Inspection and Guidance
The programme continued with a presentation by Project Coordinator Burcu Akça Hacıosmanoğlu who provided an overview of the project, which was followed by the panel entitled “Strengthening Social Dialogue for the Future of Labour Inspection and Guidance”. The panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Muhammet Fatih Bilal Alodalı, Director General for Occupational Health and Safety at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, brought together Davut Seyhan, Deputy Director General at the DoGI; Attorney Nagehan Akan, Deputy Secretary General of the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK); Cengiz Delibaş, Deputy Secretary General of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB); Barış İyiaydın, Social Security Advisor of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ); Merve Yılmaz, Social Security Advisor of the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-İŞ); and Tevfik Güneş, Director of Workers’ Health and Occupational Safety of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Türkiye (DİSK).About the Project
The project conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Directorate for Guidance and Inspection (DoGI) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS) aims to improve workplace compliance with both national legislation and International Labour Standards.Funded by the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-III), the project “Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue” aims to increase the compliance of workplaces with International Labour Standards and to contribute to the creation of decent working environments.
The project was launched in 2023 and will run for 36 months, aiming primarily to improve the institutional capacities of the DoGI and social stakeholders, but also to increase awareness of the benefits of decent work by strengthening guidance services, with the ultimate goal of improving workplace compliance.
Among the beneficiary groups of the project, which will be conducted in the provinces of Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Bursa and Adana, are the relevant MoLSS staff, confederations, chambers of commerce, chambers of tradesmen and craftsmen, SMEs, NGOs, employees and employers, as well as trade unions and employers organizations at national and sectoral levels.