AK Party’s 25-year rule reshapes Türkiye’s labor, social security system

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has celebrated its 25 years in power by showcasing sweeping reforms to Turkey's labor and social security systems, fundamentally altering how citizens access healthcare, employment benefits and retirement options. These changes, implemented across multiple administrations, reflect a sustained effort to modernize and expand protections for workers and retirees. The reforms began with the adoption of the Labor Law in 2003, which established clear guidelines for employment contracts, overtime pay, leave entitlements and job security. This law laid the foundation for a more structured and legally protected workforce, enabling greater flexibility in employment arrangements while ensuring basic rights for all workers. Over time, these principles were reinforced through subsequent legislative updates aimed at improving workplace conditions and reducing disparities in labor treatment. In 2015, the government initiated a major restructuring of the country’s social insurance framework by merging three separate institutions, the Social Insurance Institution (SSK), Bağ-Kur and the Retirement Fund, into a unified entity called the Social Security Institution (SGK). This consolidation streamlined premium payments, simplified retirement processes and created a more equitable system for accessing health services. As a result, millions of workers benefited from standardized procedures and improved coordination between different sectors of the economy. Healthcare expansion was another key focus area. In 2018, the introduction of the General Health Insurance (GSS) program significantly broadened coverage, ensuring that nearly all citizens could access essential medical treatments, diagnostic services and prescription medications. To enhance efficiency, the government also launched digital platforms such as the Central Physician Appointment System and electronic prescription services, drastically reducing administrative burdens and waiting times for patients. Labor protections saw substantial improvements, particularly with the enactment of the Occupational Health and Safety Law in 2012. This legislation mandated comprehensive risk assessments, emergency response planning and ongoing employee training for all businesses. It also required certain workplaces to employ dedicated safety professionals and physicians, reinforcing a culture of workplace wellness and compliance. Special attention was given to vulnerable groups, including miners, whose working conditions were regulated to ensure maximum safety. By capping daily working hours at seven and a half and weekly hours at thirty-seven and a half, and setting minimum wage requirements at double the national minimum, the government aimed to improve both safety and economic stability for this sector. Public-sector employment underwent significant transformation as well. In 2017, a major reform granted permanent status to approximately 900,000 subcontracted public workers, effectively integrating them into the formal employment system. Further progress came in 2023, when a policy change enabled hundreds of thousands of contract-based public employees to transition into civil service roles, offering greater job security and long-term career prospects. One of the most impactful recent developments was the 2023 retirement-age reform, known as EYT. This measure eliminated the age restriction for individuals who had already fulfilled other pension eligibility criteria, allowing around 2.6 million people to retire earlier than previously permitted. The reform underscored the government’s commitment to supporting early retirement for those who had contributed sufficiently to the system. Additional financial incentives were introduced, including the abolition of income and stamp taxes on the minimum wage starting in 2022. Civil servants, such as teachers, police officers and nurses, also received enhanced pension benefits, reflecting a broader strategy to recognize and reward public service contributions. Since 2018, retirees have consistently received special bonuses during religious festivals such as Ramadan and Qurban Bayram, demonstrating a growing emphasis on cultural sensitivity and welfare support within the social security framework. Reforms targeting gender equality included expanded maternity-related loan options, part-time work opportunities after parental leave and increased availability of unpaid leave. These policies aimed to better accommodate the diverse needs of female workers and promote greater workforce participation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary measures were introduced to protect jobs, including restrictions on layoffs and expanded short-time working allowances. Cash assistance programs were also scaled up to prevent widespread unemployment and maintain economic stability. Employment incentives targeted specific demographics, including women, youth, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed, aiming to reduce inequality and encourage broader participation in the workforce. Union rights were also strengthened, notably through a 2010 constitutional amendment that granted public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining. This led to a notable increase in union membership among public servants, rising from 47.94% in July 2002 to 77.96% in July 2026.