Work conditions in Türkiye

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

45 hours

Retirement Age

The retirement age is 58 for women and 60 for men.

Working Contracts

Work contracts are governed by individual negotiation. The formality of the work contract and the conditions of dismissal are rigid (dismissals must be justified only if the firm has more than 30 employees).

Labour Laws

Doing Business: Turkey, to obtain a summary of labour regulations that apply to local enterprises

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

In July 2022, the national minimum wage in Turkey was fixed at TRY 5,500 per month (around USD 330).

Average Wage

In 2020, the monthly average gross earnings were 4,514 TRY per month (Statistical Institute, latest data available).

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers:

Total social contributions paid by employees are 22.5%

• Short-term social security contributions 2%
• Disability, old age, death 11%
• General health insurance 7.5%
• Unemployment  2%

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees:

All employees, including foreign nationals, are subject to compulsory social security. Total social contributions paid by employees are 15%

• Disability, old age, death 9%
• General health insurance 5%
• Unemployment 1%

Social Partners

Employer Associations

TUMSIAD - Whole Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association
TUGIAD - Young Businessmen Association of Turkey
TUSIAD - Turkish Industry and Business Association

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

Unions in Turkey are generally not that powerful, though they are stronger in the public or semi-public sectors.

Labour Unions

DISK: Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey
Hak-Is
Turk-Is: Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions
BASK
HAKSEN

Unionisation Rate

The unionisation rate in Turkey is currently relatively low. According to OECD data, trade union density was 6.3% in 2013, a steep decline from 28% in 2000.

Labour Regulation Bodies

Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Turkish Industry and Business Association
Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations