Page 15 - TURKRptMar21 2

Nov-20
Rubis
Port
TRY589mn
Oil/port storage
0.9mn/2mn m3
Hatay
Nov-20
Celikler
Electricity
TRY574mn
Power plant
365MW
Kutahya
Nov-20
Has
Steel
TRY475mn
Steel bar
76mn kg
Bilecik
Nov-20
Bali
Electricity/Wind
TRY423mn
Power plant
52.5MW
Istanbul
4.5 Labour and income
4.5.1 Labour market, unemployment dynamics
Labour union DISK calculates the total unemployment as of November at 29%, rather than the TUIK’s 13%.
Turkish companies placed more than 830,000 workers on unpaid leave in January, according to the TekGıda-Is union.
The government provides TRY1,177 (€138) per month in financial assistance to workers on unpaid leave. The support is provided by utilising money collected for the government-controlled Unemployment Insurance Fund.
From April to May 2020, when Turkey imposed strict measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, nearly 1.5mn workers were put on unpaid leave, but the number gradually declined in the following months as crisis curbs were eased. In October, 539,000 workers were put on unpaid leave.
However, following a spike in the number of daily virus cases in Turkey, the government again tightened its restrictions towards the end of 2020, imposing weeknight curfews and full lockdown on weekends. Moreover, specific measures were introduced for restaurants and cafes. These permitted them to provide takeaway and delivery services only.
Consequently, 619,000 workers in November and 635,000 in December were sent on unpaid leave.
The government will provide one-time financial support of between TRY2,000 and TRY 40,000 for restaurants and cafes.
4.5.2 Income dynamics
Turkish companies are planning to raise the wages of their white-collar workers by an average of 12% in 2021, falling short of employees’
15 TURKEY Country Report March 2021 www.intellinews.com