Recent Development
Within the scope of the measures taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidential Decisions No. 2706 and No. 2810 extended the short-time working allowance twice.
The short-time working allowance has been extended again, this time for two months, with the Presidential Decision No. 2915, which was published in the Official Gazette dated August 31, 2020, and No. 31230.
What Does the Presidential Decision Say?
The Presidential Decision No. 2706 extended the short-time working allowance period for one month for workplaces that applied for the allowance by June 30, 2020 (inclusive) due to compelling reasons arising from COVID-19, without requiring a new application and compliance review for the same employees who were benefiting from the short-term working allowance and based on the same terms.
- For workplaces where the short-term working system ended before June 30, 2020, the one-month extension period started on July 1, 2020.
- For workplaces where short-term working system continued as of June 30, 2020, the one-month period extension started on the date when the short-term working system ended for the respective workplace.
Thereafter, the Presidential Decision No. 2810 extended the short-time working allowance period for another month, within the framework of the above-stated principles. The second extension period started as of the end of the first one-month extension period mentioned above under (i) and (ii).
The Presidential Decision No. 2915 now extends the short-time working allowance period for another two months, within the framework of the same principles. The two-month extension period will start as of the end of the second one-month extension period mentioned above.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected Turkey and the Turkish employment practice. Certain steps are continued to be taken in order to assist employers and to protect employees. We recommend employers monitor all legal developments as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.