SGK declares war on informal employment

Social Security Institution President Raci Kaya reminded that the week of May 16 is celebrated as Social Security Week and emphasized that they are trying to reach all segments of society to contribute to the formation of social security awareness among people.

'WORK REGISTERED, LIVE SECURELY'

Kaya stated that they have set the 2025 slogan as "Work registered, live securely" to combat informal employment. Expressing their desire to create awareness about informal work, Kaya reported that combating informal employment is among the institution's priority goals.

CROSS-CHECKS ARE BEING CONDUCTED

Stating that they have gathered their efforts within the scope of combating informal employment under 5 main strategies, Kaya mentioned that cross-check studies are included and said, "Professional information of individuals is periodically received by our institution from all public institutions and organizations, including banks. The incoming information is checked against our institution's database, and in this way, uninsured employees can be easily identified without the need for any inspection."

Noting that they are conducting inspections in the field with 3 thousand inspectors, President Kaya stated that they determine regions, sectors, and workplaces through risk audits. Providing information regarding workplace inspections aimed at informal employment, Kaya noted the following:

"As a result of the cross-check and inspection studies carried out by our institution, 124 thousand 982 workplaces were inspected last year, and 29 thousand 463 workplaces were inspected in the first 4 months of this year. As a result of the findings last year, 2 billion 36 million 732 thousand 167 liras in administrative fines were imposed."

Stating that employers must not employ unregistered workers to continue benefiting from premium incentives, Kaya reported that employers found to be employing uninsured workers lose their right to benefit from the aforementioned premium incentives for one month upon the first detection, and for one year if they repeat this situation within 3 years from the date of detection.

"WE ARE IMPLEMENTING 15 DIFFERENT PREMIUM INCENTIVES"

Stating that 15 different premium incentives are applied to lighten the premium burden that employers pay for the insured they employ in order to combat informal employment, Kaya said that premium reduction incentives, youth and women incentives, disabled employment incentives, and cultural investment enterprise incentives are some of these.

Kaya explained that thanks to the guidance programs they prepare annually, and through non-governmental organizations, chambers, professional organizations, and universities, they carry out information and awareness-raising activities regarding the importance of social security and registered work.

Stating that they have one of the largest data centers in Europe and that they closely follow developing technology, Kaya reported that they have not missed out on artificial intelligence technology as an institution and are conducting studies related to it.