08.11.2026 09:40
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that they are working on a fair and equitable salary arrangement that will cover all retirees. Stating that age and number of premium days are important criteria in the arrangement, Işıkhan said that a separate legal arrangement is needed for the lowest retirement pension. Minister Işıkhan also announced that 472.3 billion lira has been allocated for youth employment and that a new digital system is being prepared for 20 million prescription medication users.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan answered questions from Ülke TV Ankara Representative Mustafa Pala in Mardin. Making assessments on working life, Işıkhan announced new details regarding the salary regulation awaited by millions of retirees. Stating that different options are on the table to improve retirees' incomes, Minister Işıkhan said that criteria such as premium days and age are also taken into account when determining the scope of the regulation.
A REGULATION COVERING ALL RETIREES IS COMING
Stating that work on retirement pensions has been ongoing for some time, Işıkhan said that different alternatives are being evaluated. Emphasizing that the main purpose of the regulation is to ensure justice among retirees, Minister Işıkhan said, "We will implement an equitable and fair regulation that covers all our retirees and reflect it in retirement pensions. "
Recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced after the last Cabinet meeting that financial means would be created to improve the situation of retirees, Işıkhan stated that the work has not yet been completed. Stating that premium days and age criteria are important, the Minister said that the regulation will be shaped by taking these elements into account.
SEPARATE REGULATION FOR THE LOWEST RETIREMENT PENSION
Minister Işıkhan drew attention to the fact that increasing the lowest retirement pension requires a different legal process from the existing regulation. Recalling that the lowest retirement pension is determined by taking inflation and year-end inflation differences into account, as in past years, Işıkhan stated that the principle of justice will also be observed in this matter.
Işıkhan stated, "A separate legal regulation is required for the lowest retirement pension. As in past years, the lowest retirement pension is determined together with inflation and year-end inflation differences. Here too, we will act by observing justice. "
NEW TARGET IN SGK'S INCOME-EXPENDITURE BALANCE
Also sharing data on the financial situation of the Social Security Institution, Işıkhan stated that there has been a significant change over the years in the rate at which SGK revenues cover its expenditures. The Minister announced that they expect this rate, which was 71.5 percent in 2002, to reach 88 percent by the end of 2026.
He stated that the ratio of the SGK deficit to national income, which was at 22 per thousand in 2002, is projected to fall to 1.2 per thousand by the end of 2026. Işıkhan said that they are focusing on increasing employment to strengthen the financial sustainability of the system. Drawing attention to Turkey's aging population structure, the Minister emphasized that increasing labor force participation and premium revenues is important for the future of the social security system.
UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN IN SINGLE DIGITS FOR 41 MONTHS
Also touching on employment data in Turkey, Işıkhan announced that the unemployment rate has been in single digits for 41 months. Stating that according to September 2026 data, the labor force was 35.4 million, the number of employed people was 32.4 million, and the number of unemployed people was 2.9 million, the Minister reported that the unemployment rate was 8.4 percent.
Stating that policies aimed at increasing employment, reducing unemployment, and improving the professional skills of workers are being continued under the Medium-Term Program and the National Employment Strategy, Işıkhan said that they are also preparing for the changes that the green and digital transformation will create in working life.
NEW ROADMAP PREPARED FOR 17 SECTORS
Minister Işıkhan announced that the National Just Transition Strategy 2027-2029, prepared to reduce the effects of technological developments and climate change on working life, will soon be published in the Official Gazette.
Stating that assessments were made in 17 different sectors within the scope of the strategy and roadmaps were created, Işıkhan said that the aim is to make workers and businesses prepared for changing production conditions. He stated that the new strategy includes headings such as protecting workers' rights, strengthening social security, improving professional skills, and increasing employment opportunities.
Stating that they aim not to leave any segment behind in digitalization and green transformation processes, Işıkhan emphasized that social justice, equal opportunities, and a human-centered approach constitute the basic principles.
472.3 BILLION LIRA SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Also sharing details about the Youth's Production Age (GÜÇ) Program, prepared to increase young people's participation in employment, Işıkhan announced that a total of 472.3 billion lira has been allocated to the program. Stating that they aim to reduce the youth unemployment rate, currently 14.8 percent, to below 10 percent, the Minister said that they will facilitate young people's transition from education to working life through five different programs.
Stating that there are more than 4 million young people in Turkey who are neither in education nor in employment, Işıkhan stated that the share of this group in the total young population is 22.2 percent. He reported that vocational training, internship, counseling, and first-job entry supports will be expanded to bring young people into working life.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TARGETED FOR 800,000 STUDENTS
Minister Işıkhan announced that within the scope of the National Internship Program, transferred to İŞKUR as of 2026, internship opportunities have been provided to 144,000 students in the public and private sectors to date. He stated that the aim is to create internship capacity for 800,000 students by the end of the next three years.
Işıkhan reported that 61,616 people have benefited so far from the Labor Force Adaptation Programs for young people who are neither in education nor in employment, and said that it is planned to bring 450,000 more young people into education and employment over the next three years.
Stating that within the scope of the İŞKUR Youth Program for young people studying at state universities, a quota was provided for 250,000 students in two academic years, the Minister stated that they aim to reach 1 million students by the end of 2028.
SALARY AND INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME
Explaining that within the scope of the My Future Is in a Profession Program for vocational high school and vocational college students, individual counseling services have been provided to 191,145 students to date, Işıkhan said that they aim to reach 750,000 students within three years.
Also sharing details of the First Step to Work Program prepared in cooperation with the private sector, the Minister stated that wage and social security premium support will be provided to young people aged 18-25 who will work as insured persons for the first time. Under the program, it is aimed to bring 750,000 young people into employment in three years.
WILL ACCIDENTS WHILE WORKING FROM HOME BE CONSIDERED WORK ACCIDENTS?
Also answering questions about new-generation working models, Işıkhan drew attention to the importance of occupational health and safety in remote work. He stated that the conditions under which an accident experienced by a person working from home would be considered a work accident should be evaluated according to the incident's connection with the work performed.
Reminding that a heart attack experienced in the workplace can be considered an occupational accident under the conditions specified in the legislation, the Minister said that in remote work, the manner in which the incident occurred and the work the employee was doing at that time are determining. Stating that injuries caused by equipment provided by the employer can be more easily linked to work, Işıkhan emphasized that protecting the health and safety of everyone working from home or the office is the main goal.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION REGULATION AFFECTING 20 MILLION PEOPLE
Minister Işıkhan stated that there are approximately 20 million citizens in Türkiye using prescription medications and announced that a new digital system is being developed for these people. He said that thanks to the application planned to be integrated into e-Government, citizens will be able to track their prescription medications through the system.
Stating that the new application will facilitate patients' procedures, Işıkhan noted that the aim is to reduce the need to have prescription medications rewritten by going to the doctor each time. He reported that work on the details of the system continues.
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