Minister Işıkhan attended Council of Europe High Level Conference on Social Rights

Minister of Labour and Social Security Prof.Dr Vedat Işıkhan went to Moldova to hold several contacts and attend “Council of Europe High Level Conference on Social Rights”.

Delivering a speech in session titled” Future of Work: Tackling New Frontiers” and conveying his thanks to Council of Europe and Moldavian Government for their hospitality, Minister Işıkhan remarked as follows: "Working life is going through perhaps one of the fastest and most multifaceted transformation periods in history today. The increasing impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence, the requirements incurred by green transformation, and changing forms of employment are reshaping labour markets and the scope of social rights.”

Drawing attention to the fact that the most basic rights such as right to life of civilians including children are severely being violated in various parts of the world especially in Palestine, Işıkhan stated; “In this context, we believe that the Council of Europe should continue to play an important role in strengthening the rights-based approach with its normative framework based on human rights, the rule of law, and social rights”.

“We are Integrating the New Skills Required by Green and Digital Transformation into Our Vocational Training System and Active Workforce Programs”

Emphasizing that Turkey is aligning its policies with its obligations under the European Social Charter and strengthening social dialogue mechanisms, Minister Işıkhan stated:

"Within the scope of our National Employment Strategy, we prioritize strengthening the link between education and employment. We are integrating the new skills required by green and digital transformation into our vocational training system and active labour force programs. Thus, we aim to ready our workforce not only for today but also for tomorrow. In this context, OECD Skills Summit we will hold in İstanbul on April and United Nations COP31 Climate Change Summit in Antalya on November will present key opportunities for addressing link between green transformation and labour markets in international level.

“Strengthening Digital Competencies and Increasing the Effective Participation of Women and Vulnerable Groups in the Transformation Process are Among Our Priorities”

Mentioning that one of the fundamental references for them in this process is the principle of ‘fair transition’, Işıkhan said: “We attach great importance to the reskilling of employees in sectors affected by the transformation, their redirection to new areas and their being supported through social protection mechanisms. Strengthening digital competencies, supporting the reskilling of middle-aged and older employees, and increasing the effective participation of women and vulnerable groups in the transformation process are among our priorities. In line with the vision of the Turkish Century put forth under the leadership of our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we also attach special importance to strengthening international cooperation in these areas.”

Emphasizing that Turkey continues to actively contribute especially to just transition within the framework of the Global Social Justice Coalition under the International Labour Organization (ILO), Minister Işıkhan said: “Guided by the European Social Charter, we are determined to strengthen our cooperation to build a more just, inclusive, and dignified working life together as Turkey.”

During his contacts in Moldova, Işıkhan held bilateral meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, the Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Marina Elvira Calderone, and the Moldovan Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Natalia Plugaru, hosting the Council of Europe High-Level Conference on Social Rights.

Minister Işıkhan also paid visit the Turkish Embassy in Chisinau and wished Ambassador Uygar Mustafa Sertel success in his endeavours.