
A renewed protocol between the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of National Education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) now mandates that foreign workers possess an A2-level Turkish Language Certificate to work in the country.
Updated Protocol Details
The “Cooperation Protocol on Vocational Training Activities,” first implemented in 2019, has been updated to address current workforce needs. The agreement aims to ensure that foreign workers meet specific qualifications, competencies, and experience levels, as outlined in the Vocational Training Law and the Vocational Qualifications Law.
Foreign workers must obtain a Work Suitability Certificate by documenting their vocational training and experience. Additionally, they are required to secure certificates in Hygiene and Sanitation, Occupational Health and Safety, and Turkish proficiency at the A2 level.
Commitment to Workforce Development
At the signing ceremony, Labor Minister Sadık Gardiyanoğlu emphasized the importance of aligning workforce standards with international trends, citing the growing number of workers from third-world countries arriving in TRNC. Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that the updated protocol aims to ensure no one is left uncertified in the TRNC’s business sector and to help foreign workers integrate into local society through language and cultural education.
The protocol also supports vocational training initiatives to develop a qualified workforce and enhance occupational safety standards.