24 July 2026T\u00fcrkiye: Journalists’ union proposes draft bill to protect freelance journalists<\/p>\n
On 23 July, D\u0130SK Bas\u0131n-\u0130\u015f, an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), announced its submission of a draft bill to political parties to protect the rights of freelance journalists. The IFJ welcomes a well-needed initiative, which aims to counter the precarious working conditions and rights violations faced by freelance journalists and media workers<\/p>\n
Thedraft billis based on the identification of sector-specific problems faced by freelance journalists and media workers, highlighting shortcomings in T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s current labour rights legislation, and adapting various successful freelance laws implemented in Europe to the country’s conditions<\/p>\n
The decision to elaborate a draft bill follows the holding of aFreelance Labour Workshoporganised by D\u0130SK Bas\u0131n-\u0130\u015f on 27\u201328 September 2025, bringing together academics, journalists organisations, lawyers, freelance journalists and content creators<\/p>\n
The draft bill addresses the lack of legal protection for freelance media workers in T\u00fcrkiye, including the absence of minimum rates, social security coverage and insurance, and the lack of trade union rights.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The text proposes an adapted version of the TRADE system from Spain, the French \u201cPigiste\u201d system and the German KSK system. The adapted model proposes a mandatory written contract and a registration platform for freelancers, a minimum wage and a presumption of continuous employment, as well as a tripartite funded social security fund.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meetings were held with political parties represented in Parliament in June and July to submit the final version of the text.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a statement published on 23 July, D\u0130SK Bas\u0131n-\u0130\u015f said:\u201cThe current freelance work model, which is presented today with fancy terms like \u201cself-employment\u201d or \u201ca boss-free work life,\u201d is essentially a guise devised by the neoliberal system to render workers insecure and avoid labour costs. Under the guise of flexibility, this system imposes 24\/7 work and completely absolves employers of their fundamental obligations. […] A free press can only be achieved through press, publishing, and journalism workers whose rights have been recognized.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:\u201cWe fully support this initiative by D\u0130SK Bas\u0131n-\u0130\u015f to defend the fundamental labour rights of freelance journalists and media workers, and to establish decent working conditions as a legal right. Neither a decent standard of living nor the freedom of the press can exist under precarious working conditions. We urge legislators to support this draft bill and collaborate with journalists unions to ensure that provisions safeguarding freelance journalists are incorporated into labour law.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16<\/strong><\/p>\n The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries<\/em><\/p>\n Follow the IFJ on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe to IFJ News<\/a><\/p>\n \n Related:<\/strong> \n Join Justfine Infotech<\/strong> and build real digital skills in AI, automation, web development, digital marketing, office productivity, e-commerce, freelancing and cybersecurity<\/a>.<\/p>\n Available Programmes:<\/strong> WhatsApp:<\/strong>
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