ILO showcases critical achievements during donor visit to İstanbul

İSTANBUL (ILO News) – The ILO welcomed a delegation from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) to Istanbul, spotlighting the remarkable success of two key initiatives promoting the integration of refugees and host communities into formal employment.

The first visit was to Atılım Tekstil Yıkama Sanayi ve Ticaret, a beneficiary of the ILO’s “İşimi Öğreniyorum (I am Trained for My Job)” Programme. This initiative has supported 24 participants—12 from the host community and 12 refugees—in accessing on-the-job training. Beneficiaries shared their stories with the PRM delegation, reflecting on how formal employment and technical training have enhanced their career opportunities and personal growth. The programme, in partnership with Genç İşi Cooperative, also showcased a milestone in formalization, proving how effective collaboration between employers, employees, and the ILO can create sustainable impact.

Later, the delegation visited the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) and KATIK Social Cooperative, a pioneer in formalizing waste pickers’ labour within the waste management sector. The delegation witnessed firsthand how this initiative improved working conditions, enhanced occupational safety, and provided a stable income for marginalized workers, emphasizing the transformative potential of cooperatives in solving social and environmental challenges. With the support of the ILO, the aim is to transition over ten refugee workers into formal employment through this cooperative model.

A key feature of this collaboration is the ILO and IPA’s role as connectors, facilitating relationships between local municipalities and cooperatives. The ILO and IPA's collaborative efforts serve as a replicable model, offering a roadmap for municipalities across Istanbul and the whole country. Their work demonstrates the powerful role of municipalities in supporting formalization efforts and community-driven economic growth.

Both visits exemplified the ILO’s continued commitment to fostering economic integration, decent work, and social cohesion through innovative, scalable programs, contributing to long-term sustainability in Türkiye’s labour market.