Page 103 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

of cheap labor. In some sectors, there are claims that staff need is met by Syrians and
naturally the incomes are determined in favor of the employers.” 60

Within this context; it is very important to take measures in order to prevent the illegal
employment of Syrians under temporary protection status in our country and to prevent
them from working unregistered to ensure their own and their families’ livelihoods in
terms of continuing their lives during their integration to the society without being a
burden to the society.

XI. Social Assistance

Social welfare services have an important place among the services for the Syrians
under temporary protection in our country. These services are carried out through
AFAD, MFSP, municipal administrations, and non-governmental organizations, and a
number of projects are being carried out for this purpose. The first paragraph of Article
30 of the “Social Welfare and Services” section of the Migration Protection Regulation
states that, “foreigners who are in need can benefit from social assistance within the
scope of the terms and principles to be determined by the Social Welfare and Solidarity
Promotion Fund Board. These terms and principles are named in Article 3 of the Law
on Social Welfare and Solidarity Promotion, number 3294 dated May 29, 1986.” In
the second paragraph, Article 30 states that, “access to social services for those who are
in need are provided within the scope of this regulation and in accordance with the
procedures and principles determined by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of
Family and Social Policy.”

In this context, the procedures and principles regarding assistance to be provided to
foreign nationals through the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (SYDVs)
are regulated by Fund Board Decision No. 2014/6, which took place on October 17,
2014, and in accordance with Fund Board Decision No. 2015/1 dated January 22, 2015,
which found that providing social welfare for foreigners under temporary protection
is appropriate. This principal decision has been updated with by Fund Board Decision
No. 2015/4 dated July 2, 2015.

According to these legislative arrangements, Syrians who live outside of temporary
accommodation centers may request assistance from SYDVs, as long they are registered.
As a result of requests for aid, SYDVs can provide assistance under the title of “aid to
foreigners” to the Syrians under temporary protection who have been granted a foreigner
identification number starting with 99 as to Turkish citizens (in accordance with the
60
M. Murat Erdoğan and Can Ünver “Opinions of the Turkish Business World on Syrians in Türkiye, Prospects,
Expectations and Recommendations” (Ankara: Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations, 2015), 45.

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