Minister Işıkhan gave the message that the cost of the transformation would not be placed on the shoulders of employees. Işıkhan spoke at the event. Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labor and Social Security, speaking at the “Labor World’s Common Agenda on the Road to COP31” event organized by TÜRK-İŞ, assessed Türkiye’s preparations for COP31, which it will host in Antalya in November, and stated that the topics to be addressed at the event would contribute to the National Just Transition Strategy; he announced that the strategy’s launch meeting would be held in Mardin next month.
The priority was to protect employees. Stating that they consider reducing employees’ risks of job and income loss in the green and digital transformation a priority and that they would not place the cost of the transformation on employees, Işıkhan said they would support employees with new skills. Employment opportunities will also be offered. According to Işıkhan, opportunities are emerging in the following areas: – Renewable energy – Electric vehicles – Automation – Artificial intelligence – Circular economy
Measures were taken for this purpose. He stated that within the scope of the National Employment Strategy, they organize vocational training for new professions through İŞKUR, develop standards for new professions through the Vocational Qualifications Authority, and take measures to ensure that employees at high risk of being affected by the transformation remain in employment.
Social dialogue is essential here. Emphasizing that working life cannot be shaped without the contribution of the social partners, Işıkhan also conveyed his thanks to HAK-İŞ representatives, first and foremost TÜRK-İŞ. During this speech, Işıkhan additionally conveyed his thanks to MEMUR-SEN representatives and also mentioned the representatives of Türkiye Kamu-Sen and KESK.
Why it matters
COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in November, is creating a platform where climate policies will be discussed not only under the heading of the environment but also under the headings of employment and income security. The National Just Transition Strategy, to be unveiled in Mardin next month, stands out as the document that will formally set out what guarantees will be given to employees who may be affected by the transformation. The statements show that the government is seeking to carry out the process together with the worker and civil servant sides; the reference to five separate confederations indicates that social dialogue is intended to be kept as broad as possible. The question that remains open for the reader is how the pledge that the cost will not be placed on employees will be financed, and which sectors and regions the training and standards work will cover; these details will only become clear with the strategy document.
Background
BAKAN is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 12 stories featuring this name in the last 90 days, the most recent of which is dated 17 October 2026.