Minister Işıkhan and Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, who came to Mardin to make various contacts, attended the "National Just Transition Strategy and Action Plan Promotion Meeting" held in a hotel.
Speaking at the meeting, Işıkhan stated that Mardin is an exceptional city that brings together the experiences of the past and the opportunities of the future, and said that labor is seen in the stones of this city, history is seen in its streets, and brotherhood and solidarity are seen in its people.
"Times change, technology changes, skills and production methods may change, but at the center of development there is always people, people's knowledge, labor and sweat." Işıkhan stated that today one of the most comprehensive transformation processes in world history is taking place.
Işıkhan stated that climate change, digitalization, artificial intelligence and new production technologies are reshaping almost every field, from the economy to labor markets, from daily life to international competition, and noted that while this change offers important opportunities for countries, it also brings with it new responsibilities and duties.
"We aim for a transformation that combines economic growth with social welfare"
Işıkhan pointed out that the issue is no longer just about having more advanced technologies, producing cleaner energy or establishing more efficient factories, and continued his words as follows:
"The real issue is where our people will stand while all these developments are taking place. How will the future of our employees be shaped? How will our young people be prepared for new professions? How will our businesses adapt to this transformation? Most importantly, how will all segments of society benefit from the opportunities that this great change will bring? The National Just Transition Strategy, which we will introduce today and which we have created with a long effort and work, is a comprehensive answer given by Türkiye to these questions in line with its own conditions, priorities and development goals. In our understanding, people are at the center of the transformation. Because we know that people are left behind." We aim for a transformation that protects our employees while strengthening our production, increases our competitiveness, and combines economic growth with social welfare. We evaluate the 2053 net zero emission target, which we set under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, together with our country's development and employment targets. While preparing the future of our country for the world of production and technology in line with our Turkey Century vision, it is important that no citizen is left out of this change. "This understanding also overlaps with the deep-rooted values of our civilization. Protecting the rights of labor, supporting those in difficult situations and strengthening social solidarity constitute the basis of our common values. Therefore, for us, just transition is not only an economic or environmental policy, but also the principle of combining development with justice, technology with people, and the needs of today with the rights of future generations."
Işıkhan stated that this strategy was shaped with the contribution of public institutions, employee and employer organizations, academics, private sector and international stakeholders, and stated that they will have the opportunity to evaluate the basic approach, priorities and application areas of this strategy in more detail in the sessions to be held.
At this point, Işıkhan expressed that he would like to share an important good news in terms of preparing for the professions of the future and strengthening the qualified workforce, and said, "As you know, we have increased the pocket money paid to vocational high school graduates who work in the fields they graduated in, for their participation in On-the-Job Training Programs, by 30 percent. As of 2027, within the scope of our active workforce programs, we are increasing the pocket money paid to our participants who receive training in the fields of green and digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the professions of the future, and to our vocational high school graduates who participate in employment in their own fields, by up to 50 percent. Thus, we are increasing the vocational skills of our young people." "We will support their development and their stronger preparation for the business areas of the future." he said.
Işıkhan wished that this new regulation would be beneficial for young people, working life and the country and said, "Today, we share a common vision of the future that reveals the value Türkiye attaches to labor, production and people in the changing world. I see it as extremely meaningful that this vision is announced to the world from Mardin, the city of labor and civilization. I would like to thank our institutions, our General Director of Labor, our social partners, our international organizations and our colleagues who contributed to the preparation of our meeting. I hope that our National Just Transition Strategy will be beneficial to our country, our working life and our nation." I wish." he said.
"We will never consent to the violation of the rights of our employees and our fellow workers."
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that they know very well the importance of workers, who are the driving force of the economy and the representatives of labor and sweat, and that they express their support for the workers at every opportunity.
Gürlek emphasized that he wanted to emphasize that it is a legal structure based on protecting their rights, and stated that the determination not to take any steps against workers, laborers and employees, which President Erdoğan emphasized with sensitivity, is a clear manifesto for them.
Gürlek stated that in line with this understanding, they know the value of unions in the development of the country and that they see them as an indispensable element of working life, and added:
"When taking steps regarding working life, we attach importance to consulting with employees' representatives and accept our unions as companions on this path. This importance we attach to consultation is also at the basis of our understanding of reform. You closely observe that our government, which has adopted our reforms as a principled value, has expanded union rights, removed obstacles to organization, granted public officials the right to collective bargaining, and put into effect historical regulations in the field of occupational health and safety. The practical equivalent of these regulations is also extremely important to us. As the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, One of the issues I follow is the implementation of the guarantees provided in our laws to prevent our workers from being victimized. These guarantees are concretely reflected in the judicial activities carried out by our courts within the framework of the law. We even receive criticism from employers on this issue, saying that they are discriminating against the working class. Of course, our courts evaluate each dispute independently and impartially, within the framework of its own conditions and legal basis.
Regulations that guarantee the rights of employees are a clear indicator of our President's sensitivity to the working class. We will never consent to the violation of the rights of our employees and fellow workers, for any reason. Dear union representative friends, rest assured that while we are addressing the problems with our solution-oriented approach to work, we have never even considered making political calculations over the workers and workers. We did not use our workers and laborers as muscle power for our political ambitions. As children of peasant and worker families in Anatolia, we are individuals who experienced these problems and grew up with these problems. For this reason, we see the problem of the worker and the laborer as our own problem. We calculated day and night how we could serve them better and move them to the position they deserve in working life. We dedicated ourselves to this goal. As a requirement of this service approach, we continue to listen to the demands of our employees and seek solutions together with their representatives. "The respect we feel for the sweat of our forehead brings with it the obligation to protect the rights of that sweat."
Stating that he found this meeting valuable in terms of strengthening mutual understanding, consultation and the will for a common solution, Gürlek stated that he believed that sharing common experiences with the guests attending the meeting from abroad would further strengthen these efforts.
Gürlek said, "With this understanding of solidarity, as the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, our doors are wide open to our workers and laborers and the valuable organizations that represent them. I would like to state that we, as the Ministry, are ready to handle the demands submitted to us within the framework of our duty and authority and to provide services with a solution-oriented approach. Knowing the value of labor requires listening to the voice of the worker. We will continue to hear this voice, listen to the demands and fulfill our responsibilities." he said.
Lebanese Minister of Labor Mohammed Haydar also made a speech in English. Mardin Governor Tuncay Akkoyun wished the "National Just Transition Strategy and Action Plan Promotion Meeting", which he was pleased to host, to be beneficial.
Later at the meeting, the targets, priority work areas and steps to be taken for implementation within the scope of the National Just Transition Strategy and Action Plan were evaluated. Opinions and suggestions regarding the implementation of the action plan were discussed.
