Historic Step for Domestic Workers: National Occupational Standard Protocol Signed Under HAK-İŞ Leadership

ANKARA – A significant and groundbreaking step has been taken in Turkey to address the long-standing issues concerning the working conditions and professional status of domestic workers. Under the leadership of HAK-İŞ Confederation and Hizmet-İş Union, a "National Occupational Standard and National Qualification Preparation Protocol" was signed with the Vocational Qualifications Authority (MYK). With this protocol, domestic workers in Turkey will finally acquire a professional standard, initiating a new era in the fight against informality in the labor market.

The signing ceremony, held on June 19, 2025, was attended by HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan and MYK President Mustafa Necmi İlhan. Following the publication of the National Occupational Standard in the Official Gazette as part of this protocol, certification activities for the "Domestic Helper" profession will commence, encouraging the employment of qualified labor in this field.

High-Level Participation at the Signing Ceremony

The historically significant signing ceremony saw broad participation from various key figures, including General President Mahmut Arslan and MYK President Mustafa Necmi İlhan, as well as members of the Vocational Qualifications Authority Board of Directors, HAK-İŞ Deputy General President Mehmet Ali Kayabaşı, HAK-İŞ General Secretary Eda Akbulut, Deputy General Secretary Fatma Zengin, Hizmet-İş Union Deputy General President Mehmet Keskin, Deputy General Secretary Mehmet Yeşilyurt, academics, bureaucrats, and experts from HAK-İŞ, HİZMET-İŞ, and MYK.

"Assuming Responsibility in the Fight Against Informality"

In his speech during the program, HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan stated that the organization of domestic workers and the determination of occupational standards would play a critical role in combating informal employment, one of Turkey's most significant problems. Arslan pointed out that the rate of informal employment in Turkey is double the OECD average, saying, "Our HAK-İŞ Confederation and our unions are assuming responsibility in this fight against informality, just like our state. By organizing domestic workers, we are taking responsibility and contributing to reducing informal employment in our country."

"Over 60,000 Domestic Workers Under Our Union's Roof"

General President Arslan also noted significant progress in the unionization of domestic workers, sharing the information that "Currently, over 60,000 domestic workers are under our union's roof." He highlighted that international standards are being followed, and ILO Convention 189 has been signed by approximately 30 countries, acknowledging that Turkey has been delayed in this area.

Emphasis on "Equal Citizens Must Have Equal Rights"

Arslan emphasized that, within the framework of constitutional equality, all citizens' economic and social rights should be met at a minimum level. He called for the protection of domestic workers' rights, stating, "Domestic workers must work in a dignified manner, and their work must be in accordance with international literature and our country's legal literature."

95% of Domestic Workers are Women, Most are Informal

Citing TÜİK data, Arslan stated that 1 million 310 thousand people are employed as domestic workers in Turkey, 95% of whom are women, and a large portion of this group works informally. He added, "This protocol we signed with MYK is a historic step for domestic workers. With the protocol, domestic workers will obtain national occupational standards and qualification documents. This process will be an important threshold in the fight against informality. We will ensure domestic workers' right to organize. When they fall under the scope of the Labor Law, they will also be able to join unions."

"Transformation Begins in Three Key Areas"

General President Mahmut Arslan emphasized that the work carried out in organizing domestic workers would bring about transformation in three key areas: "These are; formalizing informal employment, ensuring dignified working conditions, and increasing unionization. This is the beginning of these three fundamental issues. You will see that we will rapidly achieve this change."

Arslan concluded by stating that Hizmet-İş Union's long-standing efforts in this field are crowned with this protocol. "It is gratifying to see that our union's work has come to fruition today. Our union's economic establishment has put in invaluable effort concerning domestic workers for a long time. Hopefully, we have all together taken the first steps towards establishing standards for domestic workers in the future, bringing them under the scope of the Labor Law, and ensuring they work in a dignified manner," he said. This protocol is expected to open a new chapter in the struggle for domestic workers' rights.