Research Article
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Year 2021, Volume: 6 Issue: 10, 1 - 19, 30.03.2021

Tülay Yıldırım Mat Abdurrahman Erol

Abstract

Türkiye’nin Suriyeli mültecilere yönelik sağladığı hukuksal statü, geçici korumadır. Geçici koruma statüsü, ‘mülteci’ statüsü ile aynı olmadığı gibi, sağlanan imkân ve ulaşılabilen haklar da aynı şekilde kısıtlıdır. Hali hazırda geçicilik üzerinde sağlanan bu statünün, orta ve uzun vadede Türkiye’de ikamet edeceği anlaşılan Suriyelilerin yaşam ve çalışma koşullarını tartışmalı hale getirmiştir. Özellikle iş hayatı açısından, yasal çalışma iznine erişim konusunda veya çalışma izni alabildikten sonra dahi makul şartlarda iş bulabilme konusunda geçici koruma statüsüne sahip Suriyeliler de kimi sorunlarla karşılaşmaktadır. Başka bazı sektörlerde olduğu gibi tekstil ve hazır giyim sektöründe Suriyeli işçiler olumsuz çalışma şartlarına maruz kalabilmektedir. Bu noktada, Suriyeli tekstil ve hazır giyim işçilerinin çalışma şartlarının iyileştirilmesi konusunda Türkiye’den ürün tedarik eden çok uluslu şirketlerin de alabilecekleri tedbirler bulunmaktadır. Özellikle bu şirketlerin, küresel tedarik zincirleri üzerinde, çalışma hayatı ve insan hakları alanında öngörülen insan haklarına ilişkin özen yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmeleri halinde, bilhassa bu şirketlerin tedarik zincirinde yer alan işletmelerde çalışan Suriyeli işçilerin çalışma hayatlarında önemli düzeltmeler yapılabilecektir. Bu doğrultuda, işbu yazıda Suriyeli işçilerin Türkiye’deki hukuki statülerine ve hazır giyim sektöründeki çalışma şartlarına ilişkin açıklamalardan sonra çok uluslu şirketlerin, Türkiye’deki hazır giyim sektörü kontekstinde Suriyeli işçilerin durumlarının iyileştirilmesi açısından insan hakları özen yükümlülüğü kapsamında atabilecekleri adımlara ve alabilecekleri tedbirlere dair önerilerde bulunulacaktır.

Keywords

Suriyeli Mülteci; Geçici Koruma; Göç Politikası; Çok Uluslu Şirketler; Çalışma izni

References

  • BHRCC, “Syrian refugees in Turkish garment supply chains: An analysis of company action to address reports of serious exploitation & abuse”, https://www.business-humanrights.org/sites/default/files/160131%20Syrian%20Refugee%20Briefing %20FINAL.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • BSR, “Conducting an Effective Human Rights Impact Assessment Guidelines, Steps, and Examples”.
  • BUSINESS SOCIAL COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE AND FOREIGN TRADE ASSOCIATION, “Guidance Document: Syrian Nationals Working in Turkish Supply Chains”, https://media.business- humanrights.org/media/documents/files/documents/Guidance-Document- Syrians-in-Turkey_FINAL_ENG.PDF, Access Date:: 24.11.2020.
  • CARO, Luis Pinedo, "Türk İşgücü Piyasasında Suriyeli Mülteciler", ILO.
  • CERİTOĞLU, Evren/ GÜRCIHAN-YÜNCÜLER, Hatice Burcu/ TORUN, Huzeyfe and TÜMEN, Semih, “The Impact of Syrian Refugees on Natives' Labor Market Outcomes in Turkey: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Design” TCMB Working Paper No: 17/05.
  • CILGA, Melih, “Syrian Refugees and NGOs in Turkey” https://graphcommons.com/graphs/a5f158c2-9d58-4745-9fe5-97bc9d86dac4, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • DİNÇEL, Gülay, “Textile and RMG – Memo”, http://www.tskb.com.tr/i/content/729_1_Tekstil_Giyim_Bilgi_Notu_Kasim_201 4.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • DURAN, Aslı/ TEMİZ DİNÇ, Dilek, "The State of The Turkish Textile and Ready-Wear Industries", İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol.5, Issue 3, Pp.505-519.
  • ERAI TURKEY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT, "Textile Industry in Turkey in 2020", https://eraiturkey.com/news/textile-industry-in- turkey-in-2020/, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • ERASLAN, İ. Hakkı/ BAKAN, İsmail and HELVACIOĞLU-KUYUCU, Aslı Deniz, “Türk Tekstil ve Hazırgiyim Sektörünün Uluslararası Rekabetçilik Düzeyinin Analizi“, Istanbul Ticaret Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Vol.7, Issue 13, Pp.265-300.
  • ERMAĞAN, İsmail/ KARCI, Aybars, “Neorealizm ve Neoliberalizm Kuramlarının Güvenlik Yaklaşımları ve Arap Devrimlerinde Suriye Politikaları”, Uluslararası İlişkilerde Güvenlik Kuramları ve Sorunlarına Temel Yaklaşımlar, Ed: Sibel TURAN and Nergiz ÖZKURAL KÖROĞLU, London, Transnational Press, 2017.
  • EROL, Ertan et.al. “Inclusion Process of Syrian Refugees to Turkish Labor Market and Their Impacts”, https://www.academia.edu/34930885/Suriyeli_G%C3%B6%C3%A7men_Eme %C4%9Fi_%C4%B0stanbul_Tekstil_Sekt%C3%B6r%C3%BC_Ara%C5%9Ft %C4%B1rmas%C4%B1, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • FAEK, Rasha, “Turkey Sends Mixed Signals to Syrian Job Seekers”, Al-Fanar Media https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2017/02/turkey-sends-mixed-signals- syrian-job-seekers/ Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION, "Country Study - Turkey", https://www.fairwear.org/programmes/countries/turkey/, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • ILO, “ILO welcomes the introduction of work permits for refugees in Turkey”, http://www.ilo.org/ankara/news/WCMS_444117/lang--en/index.htm, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • KAYA, İbrahim/ YILMAZ EREN, Esra, Türkiye’de Bulunan Suriyelilerin Hukuki Durumu: Arada Kalanların Hakları ve Yükümlülükleri, Istanbul: Seta 2015.
  • KINGSLEY, Patrick, “Fewer than 0.1% of Syrians in Turkey in line for work permits” The Guardian, 11 April 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/fewer-than-01-of-syrians-in- turkey-in-line-for-work-permits, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • LBF PARTNERS | HUKUK VE DANIŞMANLIK, "Yabancıların Çalışma İzinleri ve Güncel Mevzuat", http://www.lbfpartners.com/tr/yayin/yabancilarin- calisma-izinleri-ve-guncel-mevzuat.html, Access Date: 29 December 2020.
  • LEGHTAS, Izza/ HOLLINGSWORTH, Ann “’I Am Only Looking for My Rights’: Legal Employment Still Inaccessible for Refugees in Turkey”, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Turkey%2BReport%2BFi nal.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • IEH-ETHICAL TRADING INITIATIVE, “A Guide to Human Rights Due Diligence in Global Supply Chains”, http://www.ajsosteniblebcn.cat/human- rights-due-diligence-in-global-supply-chains_28919.pdf, Accessed 24.11.2020.
  • INGEV , “Syrian Refugee Livelihood Monitor-Summary Assessment”, http://ingev.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Syrian-Refugee-Livelihood- Monitor-Summary-Assessment.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • ISTANBUL TEXTILE AND APPAREL EXPORTER ASSOCIATIONS, “Turkish Suppliers of Foreign Brands”, https://www.itkib.org.tr/files/downloads/dis_ticaret/ihracat_rehberi/markalar_mu messiller/yabanci_marka_firmalar.xls, Access Date: 29 December 2020.
  • MÜLTECILER DERNEĞI, “Number of Syrian Refugees with Official Work Permits”, http://multeciler.org.tr/turkiyede-calisma-izni-verilen-suriyeli-sayisi/, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • MYERS, Caysie, “Challenges and Opportunities for Syrian Refugees Working in Turkey” https://www.turkheritage.org/en/publications/analysis-by-tho- contributors-and-liaisons/challenges-and-opportunities-for-syrian-refugees- working-in-turkey-3234 Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • OECD, “Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises”, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264115415-en, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • OECD, “Turkey” https://data.oecd.org/turkey.htm, Access Date: 24.11.2020. OHCHR, "Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence", https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/CorporateHRDueDiligence.as px, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • OLCAY, Gulsen Pelin, “Dynamics That Form the Geography of International Production of Apparel Industry and Effects of These Dynamics on Istanbul”, Journal of Planning, Vol.23, Issue 1, Pp.26-34.
  • SHIFT, OXFAM AND GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK NETHERLANDS, “Doing Business with Respect for Human Rights: A Guidance Tool for Companies”, 23.
  • TOPAL, Mehmet Hanefi/ ÖZER, Ufuk and DOKUZLU, Emrah, “Public perception of Syrian refugees in Turkey: an empirical explanation using extended integrative threat theory” Problemy Polityki Społecznej, Vol.38, Pp.35-58.
  • UN, “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework”, https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en. pdf, Accessed 24.11.2020.
  • UNHCR, “Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response”, https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/113, Access Date: 24.11.2020. UNHCR, “States Parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol”, http://www.unhcr.org/protect/PROTECTION/3b73b0d63.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • UNHCR, “Syria Emergency”, http://www.unhcr.org/syria-emergency.html, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • YILDIZ, Tuğba/ YILDIZ, İbrahim, “Suriyelilerin Türkiye Ekonomisinde Kayıt Dışı İstihdama Etkileri ve Bunun Yansıması Olarak Türkiye’ye Maliyetleri Üzerine Bir İnceleme”, İktisadi, İdari ve Siyasal Araştırmalar Dergisi, Vol. 2, Issue 3, Pp.30-46.
  • ZETTER, Roger/ RUAUDEL, Héloïse, “Refugees’ Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets – An Assessment - Part II: Country Cases” KNOMAD

TRANSNATIONAL COMPANIES, HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE AND SYRIAN REFUGEES: A CASE STUDY OF TURKEY

Year 2021, Volume: 6 Issue: 10, 1 - 19, 30.03.2021

Tülay Yıldırım Mat Abdurrahman Erol

Abstract

The legal status provided to Syrian refugees in Turkey is called temporary protection. It is not the same as the refugee status and it provides more limited rights and opportunities. After all these years since the start of the mass migration of Syrians to Turkey, it has become clear that this temporary legal status complicates the living and work conditions of these people, who apparently will be staying in Turkey in the mid to long term future. Particularly in terms of work life, Syrian refugees are faced with challenges not only in obtaining legal work permits, but also in finding jobs with decent working conditions even if they have work permits. Being one of the primary sectors where Syrian workers are present, the ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Turkey has this problem as well. In this respect, in order to improve the working conditions of the Syrian workers, there are some measures that transnational textile companies sourcing from Turkey. For one, if these transnational companies (TNCs) conduct human rights due diligence (HRDD) over the working conditions and human rights enjoyment throughout their supply chains in Turkey, there could be significant improvements in the conditions of these Syrian workers. To this end, in this study, after providing some explanations on the legal status of Syrian workers in Turkey and their working conditions in the RMG sector, recommendations will be offered on what measures TNCs can take as a part of their HRDD over their supply chains in Turkey in order to improve working conditions of the Syrian workers.

Keywords

Syrian refugees Temporary protection Migration policy TNCs Work permit

References

  • BHRCC, “Syrian refugees in Turkish garment supply chains: An analysis of company action to address reports of serious exploitation & abuse”, https://www.business-humanrights.org/sites/default/files/160131%20Syrian%20Refugee%20Briefing %20FINAL.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • BSR, “Conducting an Effective Human Rights Impact Assessment Guidelines, Steps, and Examples”.
  • BUSINESS SOCIAL COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE AND FOREIGN TRADE ASSOCIATION, “Guidance Document: Syrian Nationals Working in Turkish Supply Chains”, https://media.business- humanrights.org/media/documents/files/documents/Guidance-Document- Syrians-in-Turkey_FINAL_ENG.PDF, Access Date:: 24.11.2020.
  • CARO, Luis Pinedo, "Türk İşgücü Piyasasında Suriyeli Mülteciler", ILO.
  • CERİTOĞLU, Evren/ GÜRCIHAN-YÜNCÜLER, Hatice Burcu/ TORUN, Huzeyfe and TÜMEN, Semih, “The Impact of Syrian Refugees on Natives' Labor Market Outcomes in Turkey: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Design” TCMB Working Paper No: 17/05.
  • CILGA, Melih, “Syrian Refugees and NGOs in Turkey” https://graphcommons.com/graphs/a5f158c2-9d58-4745-9fe5-97bc9d86dac4, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • DİNÇEL, Gülay, “Textile and RMG – Memo”, http://www.tskb.com.tr/i/content/729_1_Tekstil_Giyim_Bilgi_Notu_Kasim_201 4.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • DURAN, Aslı/ TEMİZ DİNÇ, Dilek, "The State of The Turkish Textile and Ready-Wear Industries", İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol.5, Issue 3, Pp.505-519.
  • ERAI TURKEY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT, "Textile Industry in Turkey in 2020", https://eraiturkey.com/news/textile-industry-in- turkey-in-2020/, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • ERASLAN, İ. Hakkı/ BAKAN, İsmail and HELVACIOĞLU-KUYUCU, Aslı Deniz, “Türk Tekstil ve Hazırgiyim Sektörünün Uluslararası Rekabetçilik Düzeyinin Analizi“, Istanbul Ticaret Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Vol.7, Issue 13, Pp.265-300.
  • ERMAĞAN, İsmail/ KARCI, Aybars, “Neorealizm ve Neoliberalizm Kuramlarının Güvenlik Yaklaşımları ve Arap Devrimlerinde Suriye Politikaları”, Uluslararası İlişkilerde Güvenlik Kuramları ve Sorunlarına Temel Yaklaşımlar, Ed: Sibel TURAN and Nergiz ÖZKURAL KÖROĞLU, London, Transnational Press, 2017.
  • EROL, Ertan et.al. “Inclusion Process of Syrian Refugees to Turkish Labor Market and Their Impacts”, https://www.academia.edu/34930885/Suriyeli_G%C3%B6%C3%A7men_Eme %C4%9Fi_%C4%B0stanbul_Tekstil_Sekt%C3%B6r%C3%BC_Ara%C5%9Ft %C4%B1rmas%C4%B1, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • FAEK, Rasha, “Turkey Sends Mixed Signals to Syrian Job Seekers”, Al-Fanar Media https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2017/02/turkey-sends-mixed-signals- syrian-job-seekers/ Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION, "Country Study - Turkey", https://www.fairwear.org/programmes/countries/turkey/, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • ILO, “ILO welcomes the introduction of work permits for refugees in Turkey”, http://www.ilo.org/ankara/news/WCMS_444117/lang--en/index.htm, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • KAYA, İbrahim/ YILMAZ EREN, Esra, Türkiye’de Bulunan Suriyelilerin Hukuki Durumu: Arada Kalanların Hakları ve Yükümlülükleri, Istanbul: Seta 2015.
  • KINGSLEY, Patrick, “Fewer than 0.1% of Syrians in Turkey in line for work permits” The Guardian, 11 April 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/fewer-than-01-of-syrians-in- turkey-in-line-for-work-permits, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • LBF PARTNERS | HUKUK VE DANIŞMANLIK, "Yabancıların Çalışma İzinleri ve Güncel Mevzuat", http://www.lbfpartners.com/tr/yayin/yabancilarin- calisma-izinleri-ve-guncel-mevzuat.html, Access Date: 29 December 2020.
  • LEGHTAS, Izza/ HOLLINGSWORTH, Ann “’I Am Only Looking for My Rights’: Legal Employment Still Inaccessible for Refugees in Turkey”, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Turkey%2BReport%2BFi nal.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • IEH-ETHICAL TRADING INITIATIVE, “A Guide to Human Rights Due Diligence in Global Supply Chains”, http://www.ajsosteniblebcn.cat/human- rights-due-diligence-in-global-supply-chains_28919.pdf, Accessed 24.11.2020.
  • INGEV , “Syrian Refugee Livelihood Monitor-Summary Assessment”, http://ingev.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Syrian-Refugee-Livelihood- Monitor-Summary-Assessment.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • ISTANBUL TEXTILE AND APPAREL EXPORTER ASSOCIATIONS, “Turkish Suppliers of Foreign Brands”, https://www.itkib.org.tr/files/downloads/dis_ticaret/ihracat_rehberi/markalar_mu messiller/yabanci_marka_firmalar.xls, Access Date: 29 December 2020.
  • MÜLTECILER DERNEĞI, “Number of Syrian Refugees with Official Work Permits”, http://multeciler.org.tr/turkiyede-calisma-izni-verilen-suriyeli-sayisi/, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • MYERS, Caysie, “Challenges and Opportunities for Syrian Refugees Working in Turkey” https://www.turkheritage.org/en/publications/analysis-by-tho- contributors-and-liaisons/challenges-and-opportunities-for-syrian-refugees- working-in-turkey-3234 Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • OECD, “Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises”, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264115415-en, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • OECD, “Turkey” https://data.oecd.org/turkey.htm, Access Date: 24.11.2020. OHCHR, "Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence", https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/CorporateHRDueDiligence.as px, Access Date: 29.12.2020.
  • OLCAY, Gulsen Pelin, “Dynamics That Form the Geography of International Production of Apparel Industry and Effects of These Dynamics on Istanbul”, Journal of Planning, Vol.23, Issue 1, Pp.26-34.
  • SHIFT, OXFAM AND GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK NETHERLANDS, “Doing Business with Respect for Human Rights: A Guidance Tool for Companies”, 23.
  • TOPAL, Mehmet Hanefi/ ÖZER, Ufuk and DOKUZLU, Emrah, “Public perception of Syrian refugees in Turkey: an empirical explanation using extended integrative threat theory” Problemy Polityki Społecznej, Vol.38, Pp.35-58.
  • UN, “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework”, https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en. pdf, Accessed 24.11.2020.
  • UNHCR, “Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response”, https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/113, Access Date: 24.11.2020. UNHCR, “States Parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol”, http://www.unhcr.org/protect/PROTECTION/3b73b0d63.pdf, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • UNHCR, “Syria Emergency”, http://www.unhcr.org/syria-emergency.html, Access Date: 24.11.2020.
  • YILDIZ, Tuğba/ YILDIZ, İbrahim, “Suriyelilerin Türkiye Ekonomisinde Kayıt Dışı İstihdama Etkileri ve Bunun Yansıması Olarak Türkiye’ye Maliyetleri Üzerine Bir İnceleme”, İktisadi, İdari ve Siyasal Araştırmalar Dergisi, Vol. 2, Issue 3, Pp.30-46.
  • ZETTER, Roger/ RUAUDEL, Héloïse, “Refugees’ Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets – An Assessment - Part II: Country Cases” KNOMAD
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Law in Context
Journal Section V. 6 I. 10 Research Articles
Authors

Tülay Yıldırım Mat This is me 0000-0002-3035-9693

Abdurrahman Erol This is me 0000-0002-3377-8420

Publication Date March 30, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 6 Issue: 10

Cite

Chicago Yıldırım Mat, Tülay, and Abdurrahman Erol. “TRANSNATIONAL COMPANIES, HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE AND SYRIAN REFUGEES: A CASE STUDY OF TURKEY”. İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi 6, no. 10 (March 2021): 1-19.
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