The Changes and Innovations of the New International Labour Force Law about the Working of Foreigners in Turkey

Abstract

International Labour Force Law entries into force on 13 August 2016 and changed the previous act named the Law on Work Permits of Foreigners. This law’s aims are to determine and implement the policies on international labour; regulate the principles and procedures on work permit and work permit exemptions given to the foreigners. Foreigners can only work in some professions which are not prohibited. The main rule is that foreigners who want to work at Turkey shall obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. But this main rule has an exception that the relevant foreigners can take the work permit exemptions to work. Some applications can be submitted through the authorised agent (this is the new provision brought by the new law). Besides, foreigners working at some services that require vocational qualifications shall obtain the pre-authorisation. For instance, if a foreigner wants to work as an instructor at university, it should be necessary to take this from the Council of Higher Education or if a foreigner wants to work as a teacher at private high school, Ministry of National Education gives this authorisation. This is one of the changes brought with the new law. The other changes are about the types of work permit. The conditions, entitled persons, the terms of durations of the four types of work permit are changed. This Law contains the specific provisions about working of the foreign students and the foreigners being within the scope of international protection. And also this law has specific provisions for the foreigners working in the free zones. The last change that should be mentioned is the implementation of Turquoise Card; the foreigners given this card have also same rights as Turkish citizens. The aim of this is to draw qualified manpower to Turkey.