Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the meeting held at the Konya Chamber of Industry, Konya Chamber of Industry Chair and TOBB Board Member Memiş Kütükcü reported that approximately 4 million Syrians have had to flee their country since the March of 2011 according to the information provided by the UN Refugees High Commissariat.

Stating that there are over 2.5 million Syrian refugees nationwide and 70,000 in Konya, Kütükcü stated that refugees seeking employment as per the relevant legislation would be subject to the same conditions as Turkish citizens once the necessary applications have been made and permissions granted.

Ministry of Labor and Social Security Labor Department Chief Sadettin Akyıl provided information on employment of Syrian refugees, penalties for off record economy, permit applications for employment of foreign nationals under temporary asylum as well as various recent developments. He stated that Syrian refugees would only be able to work in the province in which they are registered.

Konya Chamber of Industry Council Member Hüsamettin Sönmez provided information regarding research conducted by KSO in regards to the employment of foreign nationals. Pointing out that the application period is slow, Sönmez detailed various issues encountered throughout the process.

 Attending the meeting hosted by Şanlıurfa Chamber of Industry (ŞUTSO) wherein information regarding the legislation which regulates the employment of Syrian refugees entered into effect recently were Şanlıurfa Chamber of Industry (ŞUTSO) Chair Deputy Halil Akkaya, Council Members M. Fatih Us, Abdurahman Acı, Vice Secretary General Mehmet Ateş and many guests

Şanlıurfa Chamber of Industry (ŞUTSO) Chair Deputy Halil Akkaya gave the opening speech of the meeting. Akkaya stated that the employment potential of Syrian citizens without threatening the present harmony of the job market is a sensitive issue for both the province and the country as a whole; he stressed the need to properly provide employment to eligible Syrian refugees while also ensuring that any possible resulting damage be contained in regards to the job market and social life.

Ministry of Labor and Social Security Department Director İlknur Tosun and Ministry of Labor and Social Security Expert Bünyamin Aksoy provided information on employment of Syrian refugees, penalties for off record economy, permit applications for employment of foreign nationals under temporary asylum as well as various recent developments.