Minister Işıkhan Met with Representatives of Turkish CSOs Operating in Switzerland

Minister of Labour and Social Security Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan paid an official visit to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 114th International Labour Conference organised by the International Labour Organization and to hold various official visits. Within the scope of his program, Minister Işıkhan met with representatives of Turkish CSOs operating in Switzerland.

Reminding that they were in Switzerland on the occasion of the 114th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organisation, Minister Işıkhan said, “We held this meeting to come together with you, our valuable brothers and sisters and to ask after you, and to identify your needs and difficulties while we are in Switzerland”. 

Before commencing his speech, Minister Işıkhan conveyed the greetings, love, and affection of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Turkish citizens living in Switzerland, stating, “We have left the Eid al-Adha behind, and I congratulate you on your Eid. As the Turkish community, I believe you have made significant contributions to the economic, cultural, academic, and other fields of development and progress of Switzerland. Here, we are faced with a community that has achieved great success. We feel happiness and pride in every work, every activity, and every success you achieve.”

Turkish Community Holds Strategic Positions in Switzerland

Touching upon the fact that the Swiss-Turkish community is changing and transforming while doing so, Minister Işıkhan noted, “Together with the first generation, we have now almost reached the second, third, and fourth generations across different age groups. And now our children, your children, hold very important and strategic positions in Switzerland. Many of them are politicians, many are scientists, and I have many brothers and sisters who are successful in academia. I would like to express that I am proud of our children, who are your handiwork. The most important instruction given to us by our esteemed President was to identify the problems of you, our valuable brothers and sisters living abroad, to address their needs if any, and especially to convey them to the ministers”.

Noting that the stronger Türkiye is, the stronger the Turkish citizens living in different cities of Europe will be, Işıkhan continued his words as follows:

“We are living in a ring of fire. I believe we have no choice but to be together, to unite, and to support each other. We will be proud of the work each of us has done. It does not matter whether it is small or large. We will support each other in terms of production, creating works, developing projects, and providing services. As the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we perform very important functions that start before birth and continue until after birth, positioning these at the forefront of our major efforts. First of all, of course, the sustainability of the social security system is very important, and we have crucial duties to fulfill in terms of meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters living abroad.”

Legislative Regulation to have Work Life Applications via Ministry’s Attaché Office is on the way

Stating that as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, a very important process has been entered in a technological sense, Minister Işıkhan said, “Today, we are talking about a digital world and artificial intelligence. We have also carried out a study to ensure that the applications of our citizens, especially our brothers and sisters living abroad, regarding social security and working life are received directly by our attaché offices. Here, you will be able to apply directly to our embassies' counsellor and attaché offices, and we will support you in responding to your problems, needs, and petitions swiftly. At this point, we are implementing a legislative regulation in Ankara. Hopefully, after that law is enacted, our services will be faster, more accessible, and will increase their inclusiveness.”

Within the framework of his programmes in Switzerland, Işıkhan attended the meeting organised by the International Democrats Union (UID). Meeting with Turkish citizens living in Switzerland at the event, Minister Işıkhan listened to demands and needs regarding working life.

Wishing success to the Union of International Democrats (UID) family, which carries out activities for Turkish citizens abroad, particularly in Europe, to take a strong place in economic, social, and cultural fields, Minister Işıkhan thanked UID Switzerland Regional Chairman Yasin Karacaoğlu and his administration for their hospitality.