Minister Işıkhan Participated in the 6th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Labor organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labour and Social Security, attended the the 6th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Labor organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Doha, Qatar.

In his speech at the conference, Minister Işıkhan recalled that Türkiye hosted the first meeting of OIC Labor Ministers in Istanbul in 2011 through its initiatives, and he said, "This process undoubtedly made significant contributions to deepening our cooperation in areas such as working life, employment, and social security. But despite all efforts, as one crisis ended in the Islamic world, another began, and unfortunately, it was impossible to stop the tears. The hopes that blossomed for our region with the end of the ongoing civil war in Syria gave way to deep sorrow due to the mass genocide in Gaza. Over the past two years, we have witnessed a time when the human rights of innocent civilians, especially children and women, have been violated in an increasingly dire manner in Palestine.”

“If the Islamic World Unites, No Tyrants Like Israel Can Keep Up Their Cruelty”

Işıkhan stated that they had come here with new hopes following the recent ceasefire, and added, "The ceasefire in Gaza is symbolic of the hope for justice and humanity, rising with the prayers of the destroyed cities, the silenced calls to prayer, and the orphaned children. Behind this lies the significant efforts and intense diplomatic activity of the countries in our region. If the guns have fallen silent in Gaza today, it is because of the resolute stance, led by Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt, that centers on rights, justice, and human dignity. Alhamdulillah, our leaders have shown the whole world what the Ummah can achieve when it stands shoulder to shoulder. If the Islamic world unites, no oppressor like Israel can continue its oppression. The Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is determined to do whatever it takes to establish peace, tranquility, and justice in every corner of the Islamic world.”

Minister Işıkhan stated that it is impossible to bring back the souls that have been lost and to forget the pain that has been experienced. He emphasized the necessity of acting together as an Islamic world for the development and reconstruction of Palestine and Gaza, which are home to the first qibla, Masjid al-Aqsa.

Işıkhan further stated, “As our esteemed President has repeatedly emphasized, we will not give up this struggle until an independent Palestinian State is established. And, hopefully, when that day comes, as OIC Labor Ministers, I pray to God Almighty that we will meet with you in Jerusalem.”

“Türkiye has become one of the countries that has reduced informal employment the fastest through its policies.”

Despite many uncertainties in the global economy, Minister Işıkhan pointed out that the Turkish economy has continued to grow uninterruptedly for 20 quarters and continued his remarks as follows:

"Our rate of unemployment, which hovered around 10 percent in 2011, had fallen to 8.5 percent by August 2025. The increase in women's participation in the workforce is particularly noteworthy. This rate, which was 28.8 percent in 2011, rose to 37 percent by 2025. During the same period, our total number of employed persons rose from 24 million to 33 million. Türkiye has been one of the countries that has reduced informal employment the fastest through the policies it has implemented. While the informal employment rate was over 42% in 2011, this rate has fallen to circa 25% as of the second quarter of 2025. We see the Türkiye's Century Vision, led by our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as not only a century of national prosperity but also a century of joint development. Therefore, we attribute particular importance to our cooperation under the umbrella of the OIC. Since 2011, Turkey has been undertaking the Secretariat duties of the OIC Occupational Safety and Health Network (OSHN), which was established under the leadership of SESRIC. I would like to express my gratitude to SESRIC for its unwavering support in technical coordination throughout this process.”

“As Islamic countries, we should have much to say and much to do under this structure.”

Işıkhan also expressed his delight at the full-capacity operation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Working Center established in Baku, hosted by Azerbaijan. He stated, "I urge all member countries to sign the Charter of the Working Center and actively support this joint structure to strengthen the collective effort and vision of the Islamic world. As Islamic countries, we should have much to say and much to do under this structure, which represents more than 2 billion people. Of course, the road ahead is long and the task is difficult... But our Almighty God tells us that ‘ there is ease with every hardship ’ and commands us to ‘ start another task when we finish one ’."

Minister Işıkhan thanked Qatar's Minister of Labor Dr. Al Marri and his team for hosting the conference, and ended his speech by thanking Azerbaijan's Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Aliyev, who was the previous chair.

As part of his program in Qatar, Işıkhan held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri, Minister of Labor of Qatar. The meeting addressed the ongoing coordination and cooperation between the ministries of the two countries.

Minister Işıkhan also held a bilateral meeting with Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and discussed steps to strengthen cooperation between the ministries of the two countries and the principles of the Memorandum of Understanding to be signed in the coming period.

Minister Işıkhan also held bilateral meetings with Prof. Dr. Yassierli, Minister of Manpower of Indonesia, and Mohamed Rahman Swarey, Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Security of Sierra Leone, and discussed efforts to promote cooperation between the ministries in the areas of employment and social security.

Işıkhan then met with Khalid Mahmoud Al-Bakkar, Minister of Labor of Jordan, and discussed measures to enhance cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of employment and social security, and to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.

Later on, Minister Işıkhan held bilateral meetings with Ali Al-Abed Al-Rida Abu Azum, Minister of Labor of Libya, and Yusuf Mohamed Adan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of Somalia.

As part of his visit to Qatar, Minister Işıkhan also paid a visit to Ambassador Dr. Mustafa Göksu in Doha, wishing him success in his duties.

Minister Işıkhan met with Turkish businesspeople and citizens who operate in Qatar as well as in Türkiye at the embassy and listened to their needs and demands in the social, economic, and cultural areas.