ILO and Türkiye Strengthen Cooperation Between Labour Inspection and Judiciary to Improve Workers’ Rights Protection

Officials emphasized that stronger cooperation is essential for protecting workers’ rights, ensuring workplace compliance, and improving labour standards across the country.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Türkiye's Ministry of Labour and Social Security have launched new efforts to strengthen cooperation between the country's labour inspection system and judicial institutions in a move aimed at improving the enforcement of labour legislation and promoting decent working conditions.

The initiative was highlighted during the "Workshop on Strengthening Cooperation Between Labour Inspection and the Judiciary in Türkiye," jointly organized by the ILO Office for Türkiye and the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The event brought together representatives from judicial institutions, government agencies, academia, and international organizations to discuss ways to improve coordination, information sharing, and institutional cooperation in labour law implementation.

The workshop was held under the framework of the "Strengthening Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue Project," implemented through the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

Focus on Better Enforcement of Labour Legislation

The workshop focused on improving the relationship between labour inspection authorities and judicial institutions in Türkiye, recognizing that effective enforcement of labour laws requires close cooperation between inspectors, courts, and public authorities.

Participants discussed:

• Existing coordination mechanisms between labour inspectors and courts

• Institutional roles and responsibilities

• Information-sharing systems

• Joint training and capacity-building opportunities

• Sustainable communication mechanisms between institutions

Officials emphasized that stronger cooperation is essential for protecting workers' rights, ensuring workplace compliance, and improving labour standards across the country.

Officials Highlight Importance of Institutional Cooperation

Opening remarks were delivered by Erol Güner, Director of the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection at Türkiye's Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye.

Both officials stressed that effective collaboration between labour inspection bodies and the judiciary plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper implementation of labour legislation and the protection of employees.

They noted that labour inspections alone are not always sufficient to guarantee compliance unless supported by efficient judicial processes and institutional coordination.

The speakers also highlighted the importance of promoting decent working conditions, fair labour practices, and stronger enforcement mechanisms in line with international labour standards.

Panel Discusses Strengthening Institutional Coordination

One of the key sessions of the workshop was a panel discussion titled "Strengthening Cooperation Between Labour Inspection and the Judiciary: Steps Forward."

The panel focused on identifying ways to enhance coordination between institutions and create sustainable frameworks for cooperation and communication.

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Levent Akın from Ankara University Faculty of Law, the panel included contributions from:

• Uğur Yazıcı, Chief Labour Inspector at the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection

• Emsal Sergen, President of the 33rd Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seracettin Göktaş, President of the 9th Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation

• Prof. Dr. Muhittin Astarlı from Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Faculty of Law

The panel examined how labour inspection findings contribute to judicial proceedings and discussed the importance of creating structured and lasting coordination mechanisms between labour authorities and courts.

Participants emphasized that effective communication between inspectors and judicial authorities can improve the implementation of labour laws and increase legal certainty in workplace disputes.

International Experiences and Global Best Practices

The afternoon sessions focused on international approaches and comparative experiences related to cooperation between labour inspection systems and judicial institutions.

Nicolas Torres Vieira from the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITC-ILO) delivered a presentation on global practices regarding the coordinated implementation of labour legislation.

His presentation examined:

• International models of labour inspection cooperation

• Challenges faced by national systems

• Opportunities for institutional strengthening

• Comparative country experiences

• International labour standards and compliance mechanisms

The presentation also reviewed assessments made by the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) regarding labour inspection and judicial cooperation in Türkiye.

These assessments were discussed within the framework of ILO Convention No. 81 on Labour Inspection, one of the key international treaties governing labour inspection systems worldwide.

Experts noted that closer coordination between inspectors and courts can improve enforcement efficiency, strengthen workers' protections, and increase compliance with labour regulations.

Spain Shares Experience on Institutionalized Cooperation

The workshop also featured a session dedicated to Spain's institutional cooperation model between labour inspection authorities and judicial institutions.

Spanish officials shared experiences on how formal coordination mechanisms support effective labour supervision and anti-corruption efforts.

Speakers included:

• Irene Marín, Deputy Director of the Spanish Labour and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS)

• Inmaculada Sánchez Sanchez, Deputy Director of Spain's National Anti-Corruption Office

The Spanish representatives explained how institutionalized communication systems, coordinated investigations, and information-sharing mechanisms help improve oversight and enforcement of labour regulations.

Participants discussed how some of these practices could potentially inform future improvements in Türkiye's labour inspection framework.

Importance of Labour Inspection in Protecting Workers

Labour inspection systems play a critical role in ensuring employers comply with labour laws related to:

• Workplace safety

• Wages and working hours

• Social security contributions

• Occupational health standards

• Anti-discrimination protections

• Prevention of child labour and forced labour

Effective judicial cooperation is considered essential because labour inspectors often identify violations that require legal enforcement or court action.

Experts at the workshop noted that delays, weak coordination, or communication gaps between institutions can reduce the effectiveness of labour law enforcement.

Strengthening these institutional relationships is increasingly important as labour markets evolve and workplace challenges become more complex.

EU and ILO Support Labour Reform Efforts

The workshop forms part of broader European Union and ILO-supported efforts to strengthen labour governance and social dialogue in Türkiye.

The "Strengthening Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue Project" aims to improve workplace compliance while promoting fair and decent working conditions.

The European Union has supported several labour-related reform and capacity-building initiatives in Türkiye under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, which helps candidate and partner countries align with EU standards and practices.

ILO officials said the initiative contributes not only to stronger labour inspection systems but also to broader institutional development and social justice goals.

Participants Call for Sustainable Cooperation Mechanisms

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants exchanged views on future steps needed to institutionalize cooperation between labour inspection authorities and judicial institutions.

Discussions highlighted the importance of:

• Sustainable information-sharing systems

• Joint training programmes

• Regular institutional dialogue

• Coordinated legal and inspection processes

• Strengthened administrative and judicial cooperation

Participants agreed that stronger cooperation can contribute significantly to more effective implementation of labour legislation and better protection of workers' rights in Türkiye.

The workshop also reinforced the importance of aligning national labour systems with international standards while improving workplace conditions and promoting decent work across the country.