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Turkey

Other TRY
Capital
Ankara
Population
85.30M
Timezone
Europe/Istanbul
Calling Code
+90
Language
Turkish
Min Wage
€490/mo

Overview

Turkey is a transcontinental country straddling Europe and Asia, with the world's 19th-largest economy and a young, dynamic workforce of over 30 million. Istanbul is the country's economic powerhouse and one of the world's great megacities with a population exceeding 16 million, while Ankara serves as the political capital. Turkey has a diversified industrial base spanning automotive, textiles, electronics, construction, and agriculture. The country has a significant Bangladeshi worker community, particularly in Istanbul's textile and manufacturing districts, making it a familiar destination.

Labor Laws

The standard working week in Turkey is 45 hours, typically spread over 6 days, with overtime capped at 270 hours per year and compensated at 150% of regular pay. Employees are entitled to paid annual leave of 14 working days (1-5 years of service), 20 days (5-15 years), and 26 days (15+ years). Maternity leave is 16 weeks (8 weeks before and after birth) at full pay, funded by the Social Security Institution (SGK). Workers have the right to join trade unions under the Trade Unions and Collective Labour Agreements Act. Notice periods range from 2 weeks to 8 weeks depending on length of service. Employers must contribute to SGK covering pension, health insurance, and unemployment insurance (totaling approximately 20.5% employer contribution). The Labour Act (No. 4857) prohibits discrimination based on language, race, gender, political opinion, religion, and similar grounds. Severance pay is mandatory for employees with at least one year of service at 30 days' wage per year worked.

Work Permit Process

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Step 1: Secure a job offer from a Turkish employer. The employer must apply for a work permit through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's e-permit system (calismaizni.gov.tr). Step 2: Simultaneously, the Bangladeshi applicant applies for a work visa at the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka. Step 3: Required documents for the embassy: valid passport (minimum 60 days validity beyond the permit), completed application form, 2 biometric photographs, employment contract, educational certificates (apostilled), criminal record from Bangladesh, and health report. Step 4: The Ministry evaluates the application considering the labor market, the company's foreign-to-Turkish employee ratio (generally limited to 1 foreign per 5 Turkish employees), and the applicant's qualifications. Step 5: Initial work permits are issued for up to one year. Renewals can be for up to 2 years, then up to 3 years. Step 6: After 8 years of legal employment, workers may apply for an indefinite work permit. Step 7: Upon arrival, register at the local Population Directorate within 30 days to obtain a residence permit linked to the work permit. Step 8: Turquoise Card (similar to a green card) is available for highly qualified workers offering permanent residence and work rights. Note: Certain professions (dentistry, pharmacy, law, customs brokerage) are restricted to Turkish citizens.

Industries & Professions

Key Industries

Textiles & Garments Automotive Manufacturing Construction & Real Estate Agriculture & Food Processing Tourism & Hospitality Electronics & Appliances Iron & Steel Chemical & Petrochemical Furniture Manufacturing Logistics & Shipping

In-Demand Professions

Textile & Garment Workers Construction Workers Factory Workers Agricultural Laborers Restaurant & Kitchen Staff Warehouse Workers Delivery Drivers Welders & Metal Workers Furniture Manufacturing Workers Packaging Workers Machine Operators Cleaning & Maintenance Staff

Companies Hiring Foreigners

Company Sector Website
Ford Otosan Automotive Manufacturing Visit
Arcelik (Beko) Home Appliances & Electronics Visit
Turkish Airlines (THY) Aviation & Transport Visit
Koc Holding Conglomerate (Energy, Auto, Finance) Visit
LC Waikiki Retail & Textiles Visit
Enka Insaat Construction & Engineering Visit

Key Cities

Istanbul

3500

Turkey's largest city and economic capital, generating nearly a third of national GDP. Home to the largest Bangladeshi community in Turkey, concentrated in textile districts like Zeytinburnu and Gungoren. Offers the widest employment opportunities across all sectors.

Ankara

800

The political capital with government institutions, defense industry, and a growing tech sector. Home to the Bangladesh Embassy, providing direct consular access.

Bursa

600

Turkey's fourth-largest city and a major automotive and textile manufacturing center. Home to Fiat, Renault, and numerous textile factories with demand for production workers.

Izmir

500

Aegean port city and Turkey's third-largest metro area, with a diversified economy in trade, petrochemicals, food processing, and tourism.

Gaziantep

350

Southeastern industrial city famous for its food industry, textiles, and manufacturing. Growing rapidly with significant industrial investment.

Cost of Living

A one-bedroom apartment in central Ankara costs approximately EUR 250-400 per month, while in Istanbul central areas it ranges from EUR 350-600. Monthly groceries for one person average around EUR 150-200. A monthly Istanbul public transport card (Istanbulkart) costs about EUR 30 for regular use. Dining at an inexpensive restaurant (lokanta) costs EUR 3-6 per meal. Note: prices fluctuate with the Turkish Lira exchange rate.

Climate & Weather

Turkey has diverse climate zones: Istanbul and the Marmara region have a temperate oceanic climate, central Anatolia (Ankara) is semi-arid continental with cold winters and hot summers, and the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have hot, dry summers and mild winters. Ankara temperatures range from -3C in January to 30C in July.

Future Outlook

Turkey is a major destination for Bangladeshi workers due to geographic proximity (closer than Western Europe), lower entry barriers, an established Bangladeshi community, and a large economy with constant labor demand. The textile and garment industry in Istanbul employs thousands of Bangladeshi workers, and opportunities exist in construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. While wages are lower than Western Europe, the cost of living is also significantly lower, and the Turkish Lira's depreciation has made some sectors more competitive. The Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara provides direct consular support, and there is a growing network of community organizations in Istanbul.

Air Routes from Bangladesh

Route Airlines Duration Avg Price
DAC (Dhaka) IST (Istanbul)
Turkish Airlines (direct), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (direct), Emirates (via Dubai) 8-12 hours ৳45000
DAC (Dhaka) ESB (Ankara Esenboga)
Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) 10-13 hours ৳48000
CGP (Chittagong) IST (Istanbul)
Turkish Airlines (via Dhaka or Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha) 10-14 hours ৳47000

Embassy Information

Address
Embassy of Bangladesh, Cinnah Caddesi No. 75/3, Cankaya, Ankara 06690, Turkey
Get Directions
Phone
+90-312-441-2760
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 09:00 - 17:00 TRT
All Countries
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