Minister Işıkhan addressed the General Assembly at the ILO’s 114th International Labour Conference

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, paid a visit to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the ILO’s 114th International Labour Conference.

Addressing the General Assembly at a conference held at the United Nations Headquarters, Minister Işıkhan expressed his pleasure at coming together on the occasion of the 114th International Labour Conference.

Thanking ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo for the report titled "A Moment of Decision: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work", Minister Işıkhan stated: “As Türkiye, we view artificial intelligence not as a replacement for labour, but as a transformative field that enhances the quality of work; not as something that excludes people, but as a means of supporting decent work. For this reason, I believe we must approach the transformation of the world of work not as a loss or a negative development, but from the perspective of rights, opportunities, skills and fair distribution.”

“We view the Just Transition as a matter of social justice that protects people, labour and livelihoods”

Minister Işıkhan emphasised that Türkiye continues to integrate digital transformation into all areas of working life, strengthen inclusive labour markets and implement policies that support social justice, stating, “Through the digital systems and data-driven applications we have developed, we are making our employment services more effective, supporting formal employment, skills alignment and equal opportunities in the labour market. Today, the disasters, conflicts, economic uncertainties, climate crisis and irregular migration flows we face are reshaping working life on a global scale. We view this process as a matter of social justice that safeguards a just transition, people, labour and livelihoods. In this regard, as a partner of the ‘Global Social Justice Coalition’ and a member of its Coordination Group, we are also delighted to contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening social justice at the global level.”

Young People Will Be Introduced to Employment at an Early Age Through the ‘GÜÇ’ Programme

Işıkhan, announcing that they are guiding young people towards employment at an early age through the ‘GÜÇ’ (Youth’s Age of Production) Programme-a comprehensive youth employment model unique to Türkiye- with support for internships, on-the-job training, career guidance, wages and bonuses, continued as follows:

“We are successfully implementing our cooperation with workers, employers and public sector trade unions within the framework of social dialogue mechanisms. Türkiye’s development model, namely the ‘Century of Türkiye’ objective, is based on the strength of our nation under the leadership of our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and is founded on production, employment and social harmony. Despite geopolitical crises, Türkiye is today breaking historical records in both employment and labour force participation.”

“The Intervention Against the Sumud Fleet Is an Attack on the Global Conscience”

Minister Işıkhan congratulated Director-General Houngbo on his supplementary report titled ‘The Situation of Workers in Occupied Arab Territories’, stating, “The genocide taking place in Gaza has caused profound devastation to the rights of Palestinian workers and their living and working conditions. Despite the ceasefire that came into effect last year, attacks targeting civilians in Gaza have continued, and hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives since the ceasefire. Israel’s murderous regime has once again demonstrated how far removed it is from humanity by attacking the Sumud Fleet, which was delivering aid to Gaza, just as it has done in Gaza itself. The intervention against this civilian act of courage, which included trade union leaders from Türkiye, constitutes an attack on the global conscience. As the Republic of Türkiye, we demand that the murderers under the Israeli administration, who flout international law and fundamental humanitarian values, adhere to the ceasefire signed in Gaza and immediately cease their attacks. We will continue to strongly support the vision of a two-state solution that will enable the Palestinian people to live in peace, security and human dignity.

At the conclusion of his speech, Minister Işıkhan stated that, as repeatedly emphasised by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from the United Nations podium, “International organisations can only be strong as long as they listen to the voices of the oppressed and protect human dignity and the rights of workers. The fact that the decision taken last year regarding Palestine’s observer status at the ILO has been put to a vote again this year clearly demonstrates the fragility of the international system, including the ILO, in the face of such initiatives. In this regard, we believe that the ILO’s tripartite structure, with its experience of social dialogue, will make a stronger contribution to international solidarity in the face of the injustices suffered by Palestinian workers.”

Minister Işıkhan expressed his hope that the conference would be a success and productive for all parties, and called for a fairer world.