HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan: "Youth is the Guarantee of Labor and the Future"

ANKARA - HAK-İŞ Confederation President Mahmut Arslan emphasized that young people are the architects of the future in his statement on August 12, World Youth Day. Stating that young people should have access to secure employment opportunities, quality education and trade union rights, Arslan said, "We stand with young people for a fairer, inclusive and sustainable future."

Turkey's Dynamic Population Structure is a Great Opportunity

Mahmut Arslan pointed out that Turkey's young and dynamic population offers a great strategic advantage. Stating that according to TurkStat's "Youth in Statistics" data for 2024, Turkey's youth population rate of 14.9% is well above the European Union (EU) average, Arslan emphasized that this demographic structure also brings important responsibilities.

Education, Employment and Trade Union Rights Emphasis

Arslan stated that young people's access to qualified and accessible education, work in jobs worthy of human dignity, receive fair wages and freely exercise their trade union rights are indispensable cornerstones for social peace and economic development. He stated that as HAK-İŞ, they struggle for young people to have full access to these rights.

NEET Rate High, Permanent Solutions Needed

Although there has been a slight decline in youth unemployment rates, the rate of young people who are neither in education nor in employment (NEET) is still high, Arslan said, reminding that this rate is 22.9% according to TurkStat's 2024 report. He said that this situation shows the urgent need for policies that will bridge the gap between education and the world of work and for qualified vocational training. Arslan reiterated that as HAK-İŞ, they are fighting to pave the way for the rights of young people to secure employment and organization.

Young People Should Be Encouraged to Take an Active Role in Trade Unions

HAK-İŞ President stated that they believe that the continuity of the union movement is possible with the participation of young people and that they carry out various projects for this purpose. He stated that they contribute to raising the union awareness of young people through Youth Aware Project Competitions, internship programs and collaborations with universities. Arslan stated that they will continue to make the voices of young laborers heard and build the future of the trade union movement together with young people through the Youth Committee within HAK-İŞ.

Youth Friendly Social Policies Should Be Implemented

Arslan argued that young people should have equal rights not only in business life but also in all areas of social life such as housing, education, health and digital access. He emphasized that youth-friendly social projects that will improve the quality of life of young people and enable them to stay in their country and contribute to society as productive individuals should be implemented urgently.

Mahmut Arslan concluded his remarks by saying, "As HAK-İŞ Confederation, with our belief that the future of Turkey will be shaped by the youth, we express that we will continue our struggle for a secure and dignified working life where the value of labor is known, where the youth can build the life they deserve, and we celebrate World Youth Day."