SABAH has acquired the details of the state's new 'flexible employment' schema, which will not only inspire women to remain employed, but will also offer comforts for childrearing mothers. Minister of Labor and Social Security Faruk Çelik has shared the ministry's plans to lower the age of retirement for women based on the number of children they have.

FLEXIBLE EMPLOYMENT

According to the draft, women employed in either the private or public sector that are returning to work after maternity leave will be offered 'flexible employment' conditions. The state is currently working on two formulas, one for children up to the age of three and one for children up to the age of six. The clause will state that mothers returning to work after maternity leave will be able to work under more flexible conditions until their child reaches the age of three or six.

TIME AND PLACE ADJUSTMENT

The options of offering women the possibility to work part-time in their place of business or from home is also being weighed in for the draft. This process, which encompasses both women employed as public servants as well as those working in the private sector, would include the assurance that all of their personal rights including gradual advancement and seniority are protected.

MID-DAY EMPLOYMENT

Minister Çelik says that the main objective in this ongoing process is family unity. According to Çelik, the new resolution will allow women the opportunity to work in the morning and to then have time to devote to their home and family in the afternoon.

SPECIAL MEASURES FOR EMPLOYED WOMEN

One of the greatest concerns surrounding the draft is the risk of women being removed from their positions. A number of formulas are being laid to the table in order to combat this possibility including the state supplementing the costs involved for women on maternity leave to their private sector employers.

'THE NECESSITY OF THREE CHILDREN IS A SCIENTIFIC FINDING'

Labor Minister Faruk Çelik explains that they want to bring the current 27% inclusion of women in the labor force up to the 38 percentile.

As for the state's new three children policy, Minister Çelik stated, "The percentile of the over-65 population in 2023 will rise to the 10.2 level. From this perspective this issue is extremely pertinent. There are facts that lie beneath our Prime Minister's assertion that women give birth to a minimum for three children. This figure is based on scientific facts," said Çelik.

24 WEEK MATERNITY LEAVE

Minister of Labor Çelik recently met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the draft, after which he provided a number of hints into what the resolution may entail.

The possibility of increasing the weeks allowed for maternity leave up to 24 is being evaluated by the ministry. Children aid subsidies may be increased and nursery school requirements are being considered for the draft. It may also be made mandatory that employers hire women who want to work after childbirth.

Lowering the age of retirement for women based on the number of children they have is a major item on the agenda. While the issue of implementing part-time or partial employment options such as working until noon are also items being discussed for the draft.

This is a translation of an article originally written by Burcu Çalık.