Internship and apprenticeship insurance claimants across Turkey are turning their attention to Ankara as the new parliamentary term approaches. Statements from TESK President Bendevi Palandöken have raised hopes, and the latest developments on the issue are summarized below.
What Will the Decision Be?
Millions of citizens secured retirement rights last year thanks to the EYT (those prevented from retiring because of age) regulation. However, those who lost out due to internship and apprenticeship insurance issues have long fought to have their rights recognized. The EYT arrangement applied to people whose first insurance registration was before September 8, 1999, and it was announced that interns and apprentices who appear among the affected would not benefit from that regulation.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security indicated no work was planned on this matter. More recently, though, TESK (Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen) President Bendevi Palandöken offered statements that have given the affected parties cause for optimism.
Hope for October: A Working Plan for Internship and Apprenticeship Insurance Claimants
Mehmet Doruk, president of the Mediterranean Association of Internship and Apprenticeship Insurance Victims, contacted TESK President Palandöken to ask whether work on the issue would be carried out in October. Following that conversation, Doruk posted the following update on social media:
“Today, to mark Ahilik Week, I called our TESK President Bendevi Bey. I asked him at what stage the retail law is. He said all preparations are complete and that a law to protect small tradesmen and craftsmen will be enacted in October. I raised the situation of internship and apprenticeship insurance claimants as well; he said, ‘That issue will also be resolved in October.’ I wanted to share this hopeful news with my friends who are eagerly awaiting developments, but the final word will come from our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I believe we will hear this good news from him soon.”
This statement has encouraged those who have been waiting for a long time, and it was noted that internship and apprenticeship insurance claimants may be included among the issues placed on the agenda when parliament reconvenes. These developments carry the hope that the sustained efforts of victims to make their voices heard could yield results.
A Hopeful Wait for Internship and Apprenticeship Insurance Claimants
Affected interns and apprentices across Turkey have been waiting for recognition of their rights for many years. Excluded from last year’s EYT regulation, these groups now look to October with cautious optimism. TESK President Bendevi Palandöken’s remarks provide encouragement, while it is emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With parliament set to resume soon, claimants continue their efforts to secure the rights they seek.
For many, the upcoming parliamentary session represents a critical opportunity. If the proposed measures advance, they could correct long-standing gaps for those whose internship or apprenticeship insurance records prevented them from qualifying for retirement benefits. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and associations remain active, coordinating communications with government representatives and raising public awareness about the unresolved cases.
The path ahead still depends on formal legislative action and executive approval. Those affected are preparing to follow developments closely, ready to provide documentation and testimony as required. The renewed attention from TESK and related organizations has renewed hope that a concrete timetable will be announced and that affected citizens will see progress toward restoring their rights.
While no final decision has been published, the signals from Ankara and the statements by key stakeholders suggest that October could bring significant steps. The community of internship and apprenticeship insurance claimants expects continued engagement from both lawmakers and executive authorities to resolve the matter equitably and transparently.