Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan said the Medium-Term Program for 2027-2029, which includes Türkiye’s development goals, economic policies and reform measures for the next three years, had been published in the Official Gazette.
Işıkhan said significant results had been achieved through the previous Medium-Term Program, the National Employment Strategy and policies concerning working life. He said efforts to identify the labor market’s needs, increase employment and combat unemployment would continue under the new program.
Three-year unemployment outlook
Minister Işıkhan said active labor market programs and reskilling initiatives would continue, while support would be provided for the transition to permanent employment. He said the program projects 2.1 million additional jobs.
Işıkhan said the unemployment rate was expected to stand at 8% in 2027, 7.8% in 2028 and 7.6% in 2029. He said the aim was to maintain the positive trend in the unemployment rate.
Employment for women, young people and people with disabilities
He said steps to facilitate the participation of women, young people and citizens with disabilities in the labor force would be expanded as part of employment policies. He added that the aim was to prepare young people for working life and production by strengthening the link between education and employment.
Işıkhan said comprehensive policies known as “Youth in the Production Age” would be implemented in this area. Other goals include improving the alignment of workforce skills with labor market needs, transitioning to new forms of work and adapting to sectoral transformations.
Strategy for the digital and green transition
Işıkhan said measures addressing the effects of the green and digital transitions on the labor market would be implemented. He announced that a Just Transition Strategy would be prepared to strengthen workers’ adaptation to transforming occupations and new areas of employment.
Işıkhan also said efforts would continue to improve the sustainability of the social security system and combat informal employment. He said the goal was for efforts against informal employment to support the actuarial balance of the social security system.
Economic and labor policies
Işıkhan said the fight against inflation would continue under the economic program, with the aim of ensuring price stability and increasing gains in employment and growth rates. He added that the policies would focus on investment, production, exports and employment.
The details of the Medium-Term Program were announced by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz. Işıkhan wished the program success for the country and the nation.
