Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Türkiye (Ratification: 1950)

The Committee notes the observations of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TISK), the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-IS) and the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-IS) provided with the Government’s report.

Article 1 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes that the Government provides information on the activities of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) from 2009 to 2014 and on the training of IŞKUR staff (Article 9). It also notes the information on the National Employment Strategy (2014–23) and the Action Plans (2014–15). In its observations TISK indicates that measures to be taken in accordance with the Action Plans include strengthening the link between training and employment, providing security and flexibility in the labour market, increasing the employment of groups requiring special policies, and strengthening the link between employment and social protection. TISK further indicates that the National Employment Strategy will be monitored and evaluated, through the Action Plans, by the National Employment Strategy Monitoring and Assessment Board. It adds that the Board includes employers’ and workers’ representatives among its members. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information, including statistics, on the impact of the activities carried out by İŞKUR and the manner in which it ensures “the best possible organisation of the employment market as an integral part of the national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources”.

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the provincial employment and vocational training boards meet on a quarterly basis in order to guide employment measures with sectors in need. Moreover, the Board of İŞKUR, which includes representatives of the social partners, meets weekly to discuss operations. TÜRK-IS indicates that the employers’ and workers’ representatives take part in the supervisory board of İŞKUR, and not the management board which plays a more active role with regard to the implementation of policies. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities carried out by the Turkish Employment Agency in cooperation with the social partners.

Article 11. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that the most important legislative amendments made during the reporting period allow private employment agencies to offer professional training courses that are financed by İŞKUR. The Government adds that meetings are held at a regular interval between private employment agencies and İŞKUR to further cooperation between them. In its observations, TISK provides detailed information on the data concerning jobseekers that is being exchanged between public and private agencies. HAK-IS is of the opinion that employment can be created by enhancing the functionality of private employment agencies as bodies complementing İŞKUR. Referring to its comments on the Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 96), the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide details of the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.