Following the earthquakes that deeply shook Turkey on February 6, 2023, the state’s rapid and effective interventions helped recover employment in the region. The number of employment, which was 1 million in January 2023, showed a significant increase after the earthquakes, exceeding 2 million.
Return to Employment Program
The ‘Return to Employment Program’, which was implemented in provinces affected by disasters, was implemented to train a qualified workforce and provide opportunities to job seekers. Thanks to this program, employers can access the workforce more easily, while citizens seeking employment are provided with employment support.
Employment Increase
- Hatay:From 80 thousand 824 to 181 thousand 620
- Kahramanmaras:From 53,115 to 162,191
- Adiyaman:From 34,709 to 92,978
- Malatya:From 62,685 to 114,139
There were also significant increases in employment in provinces that were less affected by the earthquake. For example, in Elazığ it rose from 73,654 to 78,720 and in Kilis it rose from 17,027 to 22,636.
Support Programs
The Ministry of Industry and Technology provided $450 million to the region to support businesses affected by the earthquake. Thanks to this support, significant payments were made to businesses operating in 11 provinces, supporting the continuation of economic activities.
| Number of Businesses Receiving Support | Total Amount Paid |
|---|---|
| 39,680 | 12.8 billion TL |
Support provided to SMEs includes support for maintenance, renovation, repair, personnel expenses, etc. To date, a total of 108.2 million TL support has been provided to 1,414 SMEs.
Comments from the Regional Business World
“We believe that our province will get back on its feet thanks to state support, contributions from civil society organizations and the dedication of the business world.”– Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry
“Malatya will also improve with the return of citizens to the city and the resolution of the rent and housing problems. With the completion of housing and workplaces, concerns will be eliminated.”– Chairman of the Board of Directors of Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
“There is activity in the construction sector, but what keeps our city on its feet is textile. There is a serious shortage of personnel in textile.”– Chairman of the Board of Directors of Adıyaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
