Employees’ Rights and Remuneration

Types of Job Contracts Based on the current Turkish Labor Law,

there are four different types of job contracts: a. Job contracts for “Temporary” and “Permanent” Work b. Job contracts with “Definite Period” and “Indefinite Period” c. Job contracts for “Part-time” work d. Job contracts for “Work-upon-call” Job contract does not have to be concluded in a specific format.

However, if a job contract is signed for a definite period, it must be concluded in writing. Job contracts are exempt from stamp tax and other duties. Principle of “Equality” Among Employees Any kind of discrimination among employees with respect to language, race, gender, political opinion, philosophical approach, religion or similar criteria is prohibited by Law. Discrimination based on the gender of an employee is not allowed when determining the amount of remuneration for employees working in the same or equivalent jobs. 7. Employment law and practice In case of violation of the principle of equality, the employee who is subject to discrimination can request monetary compensation. Working Hours and Overtime According to the Labor Law, the maximum normal working hours is 45 hours per week. In principle, 45 hours should be distributed equally to the working days. However, based on the relevant rules introduced by the new Labor Law, working hours may be distributed unevenly over the working days provided that the total daily working hours do not exceed 11 hours a day and the parties agree on the uneven distribution of the working hours over the working days. Hours exceeding the limit of 45 hours per week are to be paid as “overtime hours”. Payment for the overtime hour must be 1.5 times the regular hourly wage/ salary. Instead of the overtime payment, employees may be granted a free time of 1.5 hours for each overtime hour worked. Overtime worked during weekends and public holidays is to be paid twice as much as the regular hourly rate. These rates are the minimum set by Law and may be increased based on a collective or bilateral agreement between employees and the employer. Total overtime hours worked per year may not exceed 270 hours. Annual Paid Vacation There are seven paid public holidays per year (January 1st, April 23rd, May 1st, May 19th, July 15th, August 30th, and October 29th) plus two paid periods of religious holidays (Ramadan Holidays – 3.5 days and Feast of the Sacrifice – 4.5 days). Employees are entitled to paid annual vacation for the periods indicated below, provided that they have worked for at least one year including the probation period.