Campaign against the unregistered economy (1)

It is a fact that the rate of unregistered employment -- workers not registered in the social security system -- is increasing dramatically. Almost half of Turkey's employees -- 46.9 percent -- are unregistered. According to the Ankara office of Today's Zaman, the rate of unregistered employment has exceeded 30 percent in Ankara, Turkey's political and financial capital, and has reached 70 percent in eastern Anatolia -- meaning that almost two in three workers is not registered in the social security system.

The factors contributing to this low rate of registration in Anatolia should be researched. This could be an interesting topic for a dissertation paper or a doctoral thesis. It is really difficult to understand an employer who neglects his employee's rights when the government already does its best and provides subsidies -- especially in eastern Anatolia -- by giving lower rates for social security and pension premiums.

You may find it incredible that while the rate of unregistered employment is known to the government authorities, no measures are taken to cut it. An unregistered employment rate of 70 percent can only happen in places where workplace inspections are easier to cheat by taking the advantage of small-town customs -- you scratch my back and I scratch yours -- and places with no secret inspections. It is a sad fact that abused workers are desperate and they are aware that several other people are waiting in queue for the same position, and may even accept lower wages. The fear of starvation keeps the workers' mouths shut. As I have mentioned, this should be a topic for another full article.

After reading the news I have looked into statistics regarding unemployment. Look at two men on the street; you can bet that one of them is an unregistered worker -- if employed at all. According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, eastern Anatolia is the most extreme, with a 68.4 percent rate of unregistered employment, followed by southeastern Anatolia with 64.6 percent. The rate of unregistered employment is 58.4 percent in the Black Sea region and 53.8 percent in the Mediterranean region. The Aegean region has a rate of 51.5 percent and unregistered workers account for 48.3 percent of the workforce in Central Anatolia. The lowest unregistered employment rate is in the Marmara region, Turkey's commercial and industrial center, standing at 42.4 percent. Even in industrial zones, which are expected to meet high standards, the rate of unregistered employment is lower than the national average, standing at 40 percent in İstanbul, Kocaeli and Sakarya and 35 percent in the Bursa industrial zone.

Please keep reading; part two will be published on Monday.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.