Supporting civil society for disability inclusion in the world of work in Türkiye

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The training for disability associations focused on the application of international labour standards, with an emphasis on combating discrimination and promoting disability inclusion in the world of work.

ANKARA (ILO News) - The ILO Office for Türkiye organized a training programme for disability associations in Ankara on 12-13 March 2026. The training aimed to support the implementation of international labour standards, with a focus on combating discrimination and promoting disability inclusion in the world of work.

The training was conducted under the project Strengthening Social Partners and Civil Society Capacities on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. Through this training series, the project supports civil society organizations working in areas such as women, youth and disability to become stronger actors in promoting and protecting fundamental principles and rights in a changing world of work.

Representatives from TÜRK-İŞ, HAK-İŞ and DİSK, discussed the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in working life and possible solutions, from a social dialogue perspective.

The programme began with an introductory session in which participating civil society organizations presented their work related to the world of work. This was followed by a presentation by ILO Senior Project Coordinator Emre Dönmez on the ILO and fundamental principles and rights at work.

On the first day of the two-day programme, ILO Training and Research Specialist Ayşe Emel Akalın delivered a presentation entitled "International Labour Standards with a focus on discrimination." This was followed by a session by ILO Skills Development Specialist Emine Bademci Gürlek entitled "Disability inclusion in the world of work: ILO's global framework and emerging trends for Türkiye," which addressed international approaches supporting the equal participation of persons with disabilities in employment.

The second day of the programme focused on the experiences of social partners. In a session with representatives from TÜRK-İŞ, HAK-İŞ and DİSK, Türkiye's largest trade union confederations, challenges faced by persons with disabilities in working life and possible solutions were discussed from a social dialogue perspective.

ILO Skills Development Specialist Emine Bademci Gürlek

In her presentation, Merve Sisli, Human Rights and Equality Expert at the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (TİHEK), addressed disability-based discrimination in working life, including its legal aspects and main forms within the framework of TİHEK's mandate. In addition, Ayşe Sarı, Disability General Coordinator at the Association for Combating Mobbing, provided comprehensive information on the rights of workers with disabilities under national legislation.

Participants with their certificates

The training programme highlighted the importance of preventing discrimination and promoting inclusive employment policies within the framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. Participants had the opportunity to review and further develop their institutional work in line with international labour standards, and to exchange information on the activities of other civil society organizations.