Turkey and Turkmenistan's recent migration policies reflect the growing competition for labor between the two Turkic-speaking countries. Ashgabat is trying to keep its citizens from emigrating, while Ankara significantly eased conditions for migrants in October, according to a report by Eurasiatoday.ru.
On October 1, 2024, Turkey's Ministry of Labor simplified the process of obtaining work permits for foreigners, which has long been requested by the local business community to address the labor shortage. Among the key changes is the desire to attract skilled workers and investors to the country.
Significant concessions were also made for other groups of foreigners: the minimum wage for hired workers in homes was reduced, making it easier for employers to formulate offers.
Foreigners who have lived in Turkey legally for at least three of the past five years (excluding education) will be able to easily obtain work permits, which will also simplify the path to citizenship.
In response, the Turkmen authorities have made every effort to prevent the migration of their citizens to Turkey and to return those who have already left. The media reports that local authorities have begun to shorten the validity of foreign passports and complicate the process of obtaining them, and have also made it difficult for students abroad to transfer money.
According to Turkmen news, the migration service at the Ashgabat airport has begun to massively remove its citizens from flights to Turkey. The Consulate of Turkmenistan in Istanbul has notified citizens that passports will not be extended beyond December 31, 2024.
Judging by the statements of the Turkish side, Ankara is not going to stop there.
President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Şekib Avdagic noted that Turkey is in dire need of foreign labor, as it lags behind European countries in demographic indicators, and holding back migration is a luxury in the current circumstances.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 30, 2024