Page 102 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

The information form, prepared in the Turkish and Arabic languages, is given to
the person who has received the work exemption.

With the enforcement of this regulation, access to the work permits module for
foreigners under temporary protection via the e-Government portal was opened on
February 1, 2016 and applications have been started to be received.
It is sufficient that the application is made online through the automated system, and
there is no need to send any documents to the Ministry in paper. In this way the work
permit assessment process is accelerated and facilitated.

According to Article 3.6 of the “application guide on the work permits of foreigners under
temporary protection” prepared by the Ministry, persons under temporary protection
can participate in courses and programs organized by the Turkish Employment Agency
as part of active workforce services. If these foreigners are hired or if they work in any
workplace after the course or program, a work permit must be granted.

According to the information provided by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security
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as of August 1, 2017; tthe number of Syrians who applied to the Ministry for work
permits in 2017 was 15,290. While 10,139 work permits were granted to Syrians
under temporary protection in Türkiye between 2016 and August 1, 2017, 21,693 work
permits were granted to Syrians outside the scope of temporary protection between
2011 and August 1, 2017. The work permits given to Syrians in the period between
2011 and August 1, 2017 were distributed by sector as: manufacturing of food products
(932), manufacturing of apparel goods (2021), retail trade (excluding motor vehicles
and motorcycles) (1844), food and beverage service (761).

AFAD’s field research in 2013 on Syrians living in our country revealed that 51.9%
of those living in TACs and 77% of those living outside TACs were looking for a job,
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meaning that a significant portion of Syrians wanted to work. A report of the Turkish
Confederation of Employer Association prepared in 2015 states that, “Both Syrians
in Türkiye and employers in some areas often ask for the provision of employment
opportunities. However, every regulation in this area is disturbing the local people of
the region, especially those who are worried about losing their jobs or facing unfair
competition. Even more important is the fact that serious exploitation is emerging.
For some employers, the presence of the Syrians can be seen as an advantage in terms

58 Ministry of Labor and Social Security memorandum dated August 18, 2017
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AFAD, “Syrian Refugees in Türkiye, Field Research Results” (Ankara, 2013), 53.

102 SYRIANS IN TÜRKİYE SPECIAL REPORT