TURKEY will score foreign workers according to their vocational qualifications, educational background and professional experiences in the planned “turquoise card” system, according to senior officials.
Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said that a series of regulations would be introduced to improve the employment conditions of foreigners.
“We will unveil a turquoise card, which will provide qualified foreigners with the opportunity for permanent employment. Short-term foreign workers and interns will also get a permit to work,” he said.
After the draft passes in parliament, the Labor Ministry will be solely responsible for dealing with work permits for foreigners rather than a couple of ministries, he said, adding that the draft would also help Syrian refugees acquire work permits in Turkey.
Turkey will bring about a scoring system for foreign workers in the framework of the new system. Their educational background, language skills, professional experience and other qualifications will be assessed through this scoring system.
Foreigners who can pass a predefined threshold will be able to qualify for a turquoise card, according to officials.
Wealthy foreigners will also be assessed in the scope of this system if they plan to reside in Turkey, they added.
Turquoise card holders will be able to bring their families into Turkey without facing any civil service obstacles.
The Migration Policies Board, which was established after the approval of the Migration Law, will actively work in all processes concerning foreign workers.
The board, which operates under the chairmanship of the interior minister, is composed of undersecretaries from 10 ministries, including the Labor and Social Security Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Family and Social Policies Ministry. The board members meet once a year.
According to the existing regulations, there is no limitation in offering work permits to foreigners with the exception for foreigners who are banned from entering the country.
The Internal Affairs Ministry and the police are however asked whether there is a problem with any foreigner who has applied to take a work permit in daily practice. This could lead to the rejection of a work permit without any reason, according to officials.