Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed a decree simplifying the employment procedures for citizens of Turkic nations. The document applies to citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
According to Minval.az, they will now be able to work and engage in entrepreneurial activities in Turkey without needing to obtain citizenship or undergo complex permit procedures. Exceptions include military service and work in law enforcement agencies.
Under the decree, to obtain a work permit, citizens of Turkic states must have a residence permit, pose no threat to national security, confirm the equivalence of professional certificates obtained abroad, and provide documentation confirming their belonging to the Turkic community.
Furthermore, the new procedure requires mandatory registration with professional bodies on an equal footing with Turkish citizens, but without the right to participate in elections.
The decision was made shortly after the 12th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, held on 7 October in Azerbaijan. At the meeting, the leaders of the nations declared their intention to deepen economic integration and create conditions for the free movement of labour within the Turkic world.