Georgian Seasonal Workers Asked to Register in Turkey

Many Georgians venture across the border to neighboring Turkey for economic reasons rather than tourism purposes. Seasonal work is almost a fashion now, if not a necessity, and the numbers of such job-seekers are on the rise. Often, these working arrangements are not permitted by law and the surging figures are becoming more and more of a problem for the authorities to register the temporary workers coming into Turkey.

“We want the jobs to be registered and for people traveling from Georgia to Turkey for seasonal jobs to be protected by law,” said Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Georgia.

The Ambassador noted the exception Georgians enjoy with temporary work in Turkey, yet future workers need to register to protect their rights provided by Turkish Law. Additionally, registration will increase their public safety and ease communication with local authorities. It is an important step to avoiding exploitation by Georgian employers.

“The Director General of our Emigration Department has published information brochures in newspapers for people who want to go to Turkey for seasonal work. As a rule, it is not permitted to do so, but we are making an exception for Georgi," the Ambassador said. "The only thing we are trying to do is register these job officially to ensure rights and security for all parties involved".

By Benjamin Music

Photo: Farmers Weekly