Politics
Sumud made history, paves the way for more action: activist
The head of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Turkish delegation, Hüseyin Durmaz, spoke to Daily Sabah on Thursday about the process of the detained Turkish activists and the expected updates after communication was cut off.
Israeli forces early Thursday intercepted all ships of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, seizing the vessels and detaining activists. Organizers said communication was cut off, sparking protests across Türkiye and fueling calls for accountability and broader international action in support of Gaza.
Durmaz pointed out the importance of the flotilla and the global support for the activists, saying: “The flotilla was actually a reflection of humanity’s long-standing desire to show willpower and take action against what has been happening in Gaza. People around the world could not accept that international institutions and Western states remained silent in the face of Israel’s oppression and illegality. Many actions were carried out, but a strategy and idea that would yield results were needed. When we created this idea and strategy, we already expected it would receive such support.’’
Durmaz said the mission broke psychological barriers, inspired solidarity and proved that civil will could challenge state and military power.
“We believe today will go down in history, and that from now on, every kind of action, every result-oriented action, larger flotillas and new projects will emerge. The whole world agrees on this point. In the coming days, we will witness massive demonstrations in many countries, starting with Italy and European states. Humanity has now crossed a threshold; it has overcome feelings of despair and hopelessness,” he declared.
According to Durmaz, the activists are expected to be taken to the Port of Ashdod later in the day, where legal teams hope to establish their first contact by evening. One ship, the Mikeno, carrying a Turkish national, reportedly reached Gaza’s territorial waters before being intercepted. It seemed impossible – the psychological and physical blockade perceived as unbreakable – but according to reports, the barrier had in fact been broken.
“We expect Israel, under global pressure, to quickly repatriate our friends,’’ he stressed.
Demonstrations in support of the flotilla have already spread across Türkiye. In Istanbul, hundreds gathered in front of the Israeli and the U.S. Consulates, chanting slogans against Israel’s actions. Protesters first convened at Barbaros Mosque before marching to the consulate building, where speeches were delivered before the crowd dispersed peacefully. Another group gathered at the U.S. Consulate, condemning what they described as Israel’s “genocide in Gaza.”
Beyond Istanbul, protests spread to other provinces. In Diyarbakır, Elazığ and Mardin, crowds gathered waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, condemning Israel’s violations.
From Mavi Marmara to Sumud
The attack on Sumud is yet another episode in a long history of maritime assaults on activists seeking to break Israel’s illegal blockade.
Since 2009, Israel has illegally intercepted and attacked all flotillas attempting to break its 18-year siege on Gaza, which was further tightened in March when Israel closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine and starvation.
Israel’s attacks on humanitarian sea missions aiming to reach Gaza go back more than a decade, with at least eight previous flotillas intercepted or attacked.
On June 29, 2009, the Israeli navy intercepted the Spirit of Humanity, a vessel operated by the Free Gaza Movement, some 20 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.
The boat, which departed from Larnaca in the Greek Cypriot administration, was carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, with 21 passengers onboard.
Surrounded by Israeli gunboats, which threatened to open fire, it was seized and escorted to Ashdod, where all the passengers were detained.
One of the most high-profile Israeli attacks on humanitarian attempts to break the blockade came on May 31, 2010, when Israeli forces stormed the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara as it was sailing in international waters toward Gaza.
The raid resulted in the deaths of 10 activists and injuries to more than 50 people. The vessel was part of a larger flotilla of eight ships carrying about 750 people from 37 countries and 10,000 tons of aid.
Severely straining Türkiye-Israeli relations, the attack prompted Ankara to demand an official apology, compensation and an end to the blockade.
In November 2011, Israeli naval forces intercepted two vessels, the Canadian Tahrir and Irish MV Saoirse, in international waters about 50 nautical miles from Gaza.
Sailing under the “Freedom Waves to Gaza” banner, the boats carried activists seeking to break the blockade.
All the passengers were detained and later deported.
In June 2015, the Swedish vessel Marianne was intercepted by Israeli forces around 100 nautical miles from Gaza.
The vessel was part of the Freedom Flotilla III, which carried 48 rights activists and journalists.
Most of the participants were detained in Israel’s Givon Prison before being released.
The Marianne was taken to the Port of Ashdod, while the other three ships in the group were turned back.
In summer 2018, two boats, the Al-Awda and the Freedom, tried to protest the blockade. On July 29 and Aug. 3, they were intercepted and seized during another Freedom Flotilla mission.
The ships were stopped in international waters, and activists on board reported being beaten during the seizure.
On May 2, 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat Conscience was struck by drones in international waters off Malta while en route to Gaza.
The coalition, which operated the vessel, accused Israel of carrying out the attack. In a statement, the group said: “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.”
The Maltese government said 16 people – 12 crew members and four civilians – were onboard.
The Madleen, an 18-meter vessel part of a mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters on June 9, 2025.
Less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza, all 12 people on board-including 11 international activists and a journalist-were detained, and the boat was towed to Israel’s Port of Ashdod.
The Madleen was carrying several hundred kilograms of flour, rice, baby formula, and medical and sanitary essentials for the Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
On July 26, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship as it neared Gaza’s shores.
It detained all 21 activists on board and escorted the ship to Ashdod.
The vessel had reached about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, surpassing the distance covered by the Madleen, which made it 110 miles before it was stopped.
Legal scholar Sergey Vasiliev said Israel’s attacks on aid flotillas are unlawful and violate international law.
“Israel’s interception of the Sumud flotilla on the high seas and/or within Palestine’s territorial waters off the coast of Gaza violates international law,” Vasiliev, a professor of international law at the Open University in the Netherlands, told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Thursday.
Vasiliev also said the long-term belligerent naval blockade of Gaza is unlawful.
“This blockade serves no purpose other than to starve the civilian population and deprive it of objects indispensable for survival, in violation of the Geneva Conventions Article 54 of Additional Protocol I and customary international law,” he said, adding that it causes disproportionate harm to civilians in Gaza.
The current Global Sumud Flotilla, like its predecessors, poses no threat to Israel, he said.
“It is a purely civilian initiative with no intention or capacity to engage Israeli forces militarily; its sole purpose is to deliver humanitarian aid. The delivery of relief may not lawfully be prevented by a naval blockade.”
He argued that interception of vessels and the arbitrary denial of passage, coupled with harassment, detention or abduction of activists on board, are incompatible with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian assistance and the applicable regulations on naval blockades.
“The interception of foreign-flagged ships carrying humanitarian aid in this context constitutes interference with the flag states’ sovereignty and amounts to an unlawful use of force against them. The relevant flag states may seek to enforce their rights under international law,” said Vasiliev.
Türkiye has introduced new legal measures aimed at strengthening child protection and preventive mechanisms, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said Tuesday after legislation amending the Child Protection Law and several other laws entered into force.
The legislation took effect following its publication in the Official Gazette.
Göktaş said in a statement on social media that the new law marked another critical step toward ensuring children’s safety and healthy development.
She stated that Türkiye considers protecting children from all forms of risk and safeguarding their best interests under all circumstances a national responsibility under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“With this awareness, we are implementing multifaceted legal regulations that support our protective and preventive mechanisms,” Göktaş said.
“We will continue our efforts to protect our children and strengthen the institution of the family,” she added.
Göktaş also expressed hope that the new measures would benefit Türkiye and its people.
The minister previously highlighted implementation results under Türkiye’s 2023-2028 Child Rights Strategy Document and Action Plan.
She said authorities had achieved a 74% implementation rate in measures promoting child rights and participation, making children more visible in decision-making processes. Progress reached 82% in child-friendly justice initiatives, 75% in family and child-focused services, 92% in alternative care services, 67% in services for children affected by disasters and crises, and 80% in programs promoting safe internet use.
Describing the government’s “Family and Population Decade” initiative as an opportunity to strengthen family bonds, she noted the coming years would focus on preparing children for the future through comprehensive family-centered policies while continuing to invest in the country’s human capital.
Türkiye will hold the first meeting of a newly established board overseeing the implementation of a landmark national unity law on Aug. 24, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said Tuesday, following the legislation’s publication in the Official Gazette.
The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, approved by the Turkish Parliament as part of the country’s ongoing “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, entered into force after being signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and published in the Official Gazette.
Yılmaz said in a statement on social media that the board established under Law No. 7595 officially came into existence with the legislation’s publication.
“The board defined in the law, which will operate under the chairmanship of the vice president, was established with the publication of the law,” Yılmaz said.
He added that ministers and government institutions represented on the board have begun work in their respective areas.
“We plan to hold the board’s first meeting on Monday, Aug. 24,” Yılmaz noted.
The meeting will focus on determining the board’s working procedures and principles as well as establishing subcommittees in line with the requirements of the disarmament and dissolution process, he underlined.
Yılmaz added that the board could also discuss issues raised by its members that require coordination among government institutions.
The legislation was approved by Parliament with 467 votes before being signed by Erdoğan.
Yılmaz said the board would work in close coordination to strengthen Türkiye’s national unity, social cohesion and peace and fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined under the new law.
“Our board will work in effective coordination for our national unity, brotherhood and peace and will make intensive efforts to fulfill all duties and responsibilities defined under Law No. 7595,” he said.
President Erdoğan on Tuesday night welcomed the enactment of a new law aimed at strengthening national solidarity and social integration, saying the legislation marked an important step toward Türkiye’s peaceful, prosperous and secure future.
“I hope the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, which was adopted by 467 lawmakers in our veteran Parliament in a historic display of consensus and entered into force as of today, will bring beneficial results,” Erdoğan said in a statement on social media.
Erdoğan thanked Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli and the MHP parliamentary group, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, lawmakers from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), as well as other political parties and lawmakers who adopted what he described as a constructive approach during the legislative process.
He also thanked state institutions and officials who contributed to advancing the process.
The president said the government would continue to manage the process with the same sincerity and diligence within the framework established by the new law and under the leadership of the relevant institutions and boards.
He added that the process would continue with an approach that takes into account the sensitivities of all segments of society, particularly the families of fallen soldiers and veterans.
The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration was adopted by Parliament with 467 votes in favor.
The legislation introduces temporary measures covering certain crimes committed as part of, or in support of, the activities of the PKK/KCK and affiliated groups.
Under the legislation, investigations, prosecutions and the execution of finalized prison sentences may be deferred for five or 10 years, depending on the nature of the offense and the length of the sentence.
Next steps in process
Before the measures outlined in the law can be implemented, Turkish security authorities must determine that the PKK/KCK and affiliated groups have effectively ended their organizational presence and surrendered the weapons and ammunition under their control.
That determination must then be confirmed through a decision by the National Security Council (MGK), which must be published in the Official Gazette.
Following the publication of the MGK decision, a six-month application period will begin for those seeking to benefit from the provisions.
Key provisions of law
PKK members involved in killings, as well as those prosecuted and sentenced for crimes carrying penalties such as life imprisonment before June 1, 2005, will be exempt from the deferrals. This includes most senior PKK cadres currently hiding in northern Iraq, as well as Abdullah Öcalan, who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment and is currently held in an island prison near Istanbul.
As a result, PKK ringleader Öcalan will not be eligible to benefit from these provisions. Individuals convicted of intentional killing will likewise remain outside the scope of the measures.
The law also stipulates that public officials carrying out duties under its provisions will not bear criminal liability for actions taken within the framework of the legislation.
The board overseeing the process will continue its work and prepare monitoring reports. Further legislative steps could then be considered, including possible changes to Türkiye’s Law on the Execution of Sentences, Anti-Terror Law, Turkish Penal Code and Political Parties Law.
An investigation into an alleged criminal organization led by Alihan Kuriş has expanded with new witness testimony detailing an alleged money-transfer network operating through Romania and the discovery of a closed communication system used by thousands of members, according to reports Tuesday.
According to a report by Sabah newspaper, investigators obtained testimony from G.K., who said he was previously a partner in a döner restaurant chain in Romania through an acquaintance and provided authorities with details about the group’s alleged operations in the country.
The investigation, led by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, is examining allegations including leading a criminal organization, aggravated fraud, violations of tax law and laundering assets derived from crime.
G.K. identified Ahmet Uğur Pakcan, described as Kuriş’s jailed “right-hand man,” as the group’s alleged representative in Romania and a key figure overseeing its activities across the Balkans.
According to the testimony, Pakcan managed a significant financial network through businesses including the Dristor Döner restaurant chain and Dristor currency exchange offices in Bucharest.
The witness also alleged that Pakcan was the sole official responsible for a student dormitory linked to the group in the Romanian capital, which investigators suspect played a role in its financial operations.
G.K. claimed students staying at the dormitory were used to transfer large amounts of money between Türkiye and Romania.
According to his testimony, students traveling to Türkiye for holidays were directed to M.A., a lawyer allegedly linked to the group in Istanbul. Large amounts of U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds were allegedly placed in their luggage before they returned to Romania.
The students were instructed not to open the suitcases until they arrived in Romania, the witness claimed. The money was then allegedly collected in Bucharest by members of the organization and introduced into its financial network.
G.K. also alleged that members and students at the dormitory gathered every Thursday for meetings during which they prayed against the Turkish government.
He said he first learned of the gatherings while visiting Romania and later asked his business partner about them, who confirmed that the meetings took place.
The witness also alleged that Pakcan and Kuriş held secret meetings at a villa complex in the northwestern Turkish province of Bolu.
He described the Binbir Evler Villa complex in Bolu’s Gövem village area as a coordination center for the group and claimed that money collected through illicit means was stored there.
G.K. further claimed Pakcan attended the funeral of Fetullah Gülen, the U.S.-based ringleader of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), on Kuriş’s instructions, adding that Pakcan’s international travel records could corroborate the trip.
Secret network uncovered
Investigators have also uncovered a closed communication and data system called “Glooper,” allegedly used by the group’s senior ranks.
Digital examinations found that Glooper was unavailable through standard platforms such as Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store and could not be accessed by the general public, according to the investigation.
The system was allegedly developed specifically in India on Kuriş’s instructions and was made available to an estimated 3,300 people in the group’s management structure.
Investigators found that Glooper served not only as a messaging platform but also as digital infrastructure for managing information related to dormitories, personnel, administrative activities and financial affairs.
Instructions from senior figures and other sensitive information were also allegedly transmitted through the system.
Three-stage security system
Investigators said access to Glooper was protected by a three-stage authentication mechanism involving a password, biometric verification and external authorization.
As a result, possession of a user’s password or device alone would not provide access to the system, according to the findings. Users also had to complete biometric verification and receive an additional external authorization.
Authorities believe the measures were intended to restrict access to previously approved users and maintain a tightly controlled communication network.
Investigators also found that encrypted email was allegedly used for communication with religious instructors within a separate internal system, while Glooper was primarily reserved for management-level communication, administrative operations and data processing.
The discovery has drawn comparisons with ByLock, the encrypted messaging application used by FETÖ members.
Authorities have not established that Glooper and ByLock share the same technical infrastructure. However, investigators have pointed to similarities in their closed-user networks and encrypted communication features. Glooper differed in that its alleged user base was restricted largely to some 3,300 members of the organization’s management structure.
The latest developments follow the emergence of Kuriş’s testimony in the investigation.
Kuriş, who said his monthly income was TL 380,000 (nearly $8,000), reportedly described a large quantity of gold and jewelry seized from his home as “family savings.”
He denied all allegations against him during questioning by police and prosecutors and characterized the investigation as an attempt to damage his reputation.
Authorities previously identified a total of 191 properties registered in the names of members of the Kuriş family as part of the investigation.
Kuriş described himself to prosecutors as the grandson, heir and representative of Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, an influential 20th-century Islamic scholar, and said he was a community leader.
Alihan Kuriş, the de facto leader of a group known publicly as “Süleymancılar,” was remanded in custody on Sunday, along with other suspects.
The group originated as a religious movement named after 20th-century Islamic scholar Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, Kuriş’ great-grandfather.
Initially operating through informal religious instruction in homes and mosques, the group later expanded across Türkiye through Quran courses and student dormitories, largely financed by membership contributions and donations. Over time, its activities expanded into commercial sectors including food, healthcare, tourism, textiles, construction and real estate.
A landmark law establishing the legal framework for Türkiye’s ongoing terror-free initiative entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette, marking a new phase in Ankara’s efforts to end decades of PKK terrorism and strengthen social cohesion.
The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration was approved by Parliament last week following months of political consultations over the government’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative. The 12-article legislation received broad parliamentary backing, with 468 lawmakers voting in favor, 88 against and six abstaining.
The legislation lays out legal procedures for members of the PKK terrorist group who lay down their arms and surrender to Turkish authorities as the organization moves toward dissolution and disarmament. It includes provisions allowing the deferral of prosecution or prison sentences in certain circumstances, while establishing different legal procedures depending on an individual’s position within the organization and involvement in criminal activity.
The law does not constitute a general amnesty and does not eliminate existing convictions, change the legal classification of crimes or broadly remove criminal liability, according to the justification accompanying the legislation.
Its passage represents one of the most consequential legislative steps yet in the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, which gained momentum after the PKK announced its dissolution and began taking steps toward disarmament. The government has described the process as an effort to permanently remove terrorism from Türkiye’s agenda while reinforcing national unity and social integration.
The initiative emerged from a political process spearheaded by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli. Parliament subsequently established a multiparty commission to provide a political and legal framework for the process and hear views from political parties, civil society representatives, families of fallen soldiers and other stakeholders.
The legislation was submitted to Parliament on Aug. 5 before being considered by the Justice Committee and sent to the General Assembly, where lawmakers approved it ahead of Parliament’s recess.
The process has also involved talks between government officials and representatives of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Erdoğan last week received DEM Party lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, members of the party’s Imralı delegation, and separately met with families of fallen soldiers and veterans as Ankara sought to maintain broad political and public support for the initiative.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sat down with Al-Jazeera Arabic as his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) marks its 25th anniversary and the Turkish leader boosts his influence in the wider region.
The interview, scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday evening, touched upon regional issues and Türkiye’s role amid tensions in the Middle East. On the landmark Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that he signed earlier this month, Erdoğan underlined that Egypt might join the pact. The president also renewed Ankara’s commitment to the stability of Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, while hinting that he may visit Syria soon, two years after the fall of the Baathist regime following a popular revolution.
Under Erdoğan, Türkiye has pivoted toward a greater role in the Middle East, with which it shares a common heritage. Over the past two decades, it has evolved into a key diplomatic actor rather than a mere bystander.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which Erdoğan signed in the birthplace of Islam alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is one result of Türkiye’s rising diplomatic profile.
Under the pact, the three countries plan to establish strategic political and military mechanisms involving their defense and foreign ministers, as well as their chiefs of general staff or armed forces commanders. Military cooperation is expected to expand gradually, beginning with command-post and field exercises before progressing to joint drills involving land, naval and air forces, air defense assets and unmanned systems.
One highlight of the agreement is that an attack on one party will be viewed as an attack on all. The signatories reject claims that it poses a threat to other regional countries, and since the signing, Turkish officials, primarily Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, have emphasized that the pact is open to expansion.
Egypt, another key actor in the region, emerged in rumors regarding potential expansion. Erdoğan confirmed this in his interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic, stating that Cairo could join them. “This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying.
The three countries in the defense agreement have been stepping up relations in recent years. To an extent, the deal is part of Türkiye’s vision of cementing unity among Muslim countries. Erdoğan himself has repeatedly highlighted the need to achieve this unity, particularly in the face of Israel’s expansionist policies that target more and more countries in the region. At one point, Erdoğan implied in a speech that Türkiye may very well be a future target for Israel’s genocidal regime.
The president vowed that Türkiye would not abandon its neighbors, especially amid regional turmoil. On Syria, he said they were doing everything to support stability in the post-Assad period. He also declared his plans to visit Syria. Erdoğan had earlier hinted at a visit to the country; if it happens, it will be his first visit to Syria as president.
Türkiye enjoys good relations with its southern neighbor, Syria, following the ousting of the Baathist regime in 2024. Most Turkish ministers, including Fidan, have visited Damascus over the past two years. Turkish Ambassador to Syria Nuh Yılmaz also confirmed plans for Erdoğan’s visit in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Saturday.
“We hope that our president will be in Damascus before the end of this year,” Yılmaz stated, noting that Erdoğan loved Damascus and its landmark Umayyad Mosque. “Seeing Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. (Syrian President Ahmed) al-Sharaa together in the Umayyad Mosque would be a historic sight, a declaration of the two countries’ strategic partnership,” Yılmaz added.
In the Al-Jazeera interview, Erdoğan also highlighted the importance of Syria’s Kurdish community having a share of peace and stability in the new era, underlining that they would continue strengthening ties with Kurdish communities across the region. Syria recently made progress on a deal with the YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist group, for its integration into the post-Assad state. Damascus also started restoring the rights of the Kurdish community, which the YPG claimed to represent.
Türkiye itself is pursuing a “terror-free Türkiye” initiative for the disarmament of the PKK, which has exploited disadvantaged Kurds for decades to cultivate recruits for its cause of a so-called “Kurdistan” in southeastern Türkiye. The “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, first proposed by government ally Devlet Bahçeli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), primarily aims to “reinforce the home front against external threats through Turkish-Kurdish unity,” as Bahçeli and Erdoğan have repeatedly emphasized in the past.
On Gaza, Erdoğan said that Ankara will continue to back Palestine and will continue its support. He criticized Israel for failing to adhere to the cease-fire and underlined that Hamas, on the other hand, met its commitments in good faith.
On Lebanon, Erdoğan stated that Israel’s ongoing attacks on the country were a serious source of concern, noting that he raised the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter’s visit to Ankara last month for a NATO summit.
Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has marked its 25th anniversary by highlighting a series of labor and social security reforms introduced during its time in government, including expanded health coverage, stronger worker protections and changes that allowed millions to retire.
One of the earliest major changes came with the Labor Law adopted in 2003, which established regulations covering employment contracts, overtime, leave and job security while providing a legal framework for flexible employment models.
A broader overhaul followed with the consolidation of the Social Insurance Institution (SSK), Bağ-Kur and the Retirement Fund under the Social Security Institution (SGK). The move sought to eliminate differences in premium collection, retirement procedures and access to health services.
Türkiye subsequently introduced General Health Insurance (GSS), expanding health coverage across the population and creating a common financing structure for medicine, examinations and treatment.
Access to health care was further transformed through digital services, including the Central Physician Appointment System and electronic prescriptions, reducing procedures that previously required patients to wait in long lines for medical services and medication.
Labor protections also expanded during the period. Türkiye adopted its first standalone Occupational Health and Safety Law in 2012, requiring employers to conduct risk assessments, prepare emergency plans and provide employee training. Workplace safety specialists and physicians also became mandatory in covered workplaces.
The government introduced additional protections for underground mine workers, limiting working hours to 7.5 hours a day and 37.5 hours a week while requiring wages to be at least twice the minimum wage.
Changes also affected public-sector employment. Around 900,000 subcontracted public workers gained permanent worker status following reforms launched in 2017, while a 2023 measure allowed hundreds of thousands of contracted public employees to move into civil servant positions.
One of the most consequential recent measures was the 2023 retirement-age reform, commonly known as EYT. The regulation removed the age requirement for eligible workers who had met other pension conditions. About 2.6 million people have since retired under the measure.
The government also abolished income and stamp taxes on the minimum wage beginning in 2022 and expanded additional pension indicators for civil servants, including teachers, police officers, nurses and religious officials.
Since 2018, millions of retirees have also received bonuses ahead of the Ramadan and Qurban Bayram holidays.
Reforms targeting women included expanded maternity-related borrowing toward retirement, part-time work opportunities following maternity leave and broader unpaid leave provisions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary restrictions on dismissals were introduced, while short-time working allowances and cash assistance programs were expanded to limit employment losses.
The government also introduced employment incentives targeting women, young people, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.
Union rights were expanded as well. A 2010 constitutional amendment granted public employees collective bargaining rights, while the unionization rate among public servants rose from 47.94% in July 2002 to 77.96% in July 2026.
The measures form part of a broader transformation of Türkiye’s labor and social security system over more than two decades of AK Party governments.
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