Social security provisions in the Constitution of Turkey

Country: Turkey
Year: 2010

Relevant articles:

Chapter 3 – Social and Economic rights and duties

1. Protection of the Family and Children’s Rights

  • Article 41

The family is the foundation of the Turkish society and based on the equality between the spouses.

The state shall take the necessary measures and establish the necessary organisation to ensure the peace and welfare of the family, especially where the protection of the mother and children is involved, and recognizing the need for education in the practical application of family planning.

5. Provisions relating to Labour

A. Right and Duty to Work

  • Article 49

Everyone has the right and duty to work.

The State shall take the necessary measures to raise the standard of living of workers, and to protect workers and the unemployed in order to improve the general conditions of labour, to promote labour, to create suitable economic conditions for prevention of unemployment and to secure labour peace.

8. Health, the Environment and Housing

A. Health services and Conservation of the Environment

  • Article 56

Everyone has the right to live in a healthy, balanced environment.

It is the duty of the state and citizens to improve the natural environment, and to prevent environmental pollution.

To ensure that everyone leads their lives in conditions of physical and mental health and to secure cooperation in terms of human and material resources through economy and increased productivity, the state shall regulate central planning and functioning of the health services.

The state shall fulfil this task by utilizing and supervising the health and social assistance institutions, in both the public and private sectors.

In order to establish widespread health services general health insurance may be introduced by law.

 10. Social Security Rights

A. Right to social security

  • Article 60

Everyone has the right to social security.

The state shall take the necessary measures and establish the organisation for the provision of social security.

 B. Persons requiring Special Protection in the Field of Social Security

  • Article 61

The state shall protect the widows and orphans of those killed in war and in the line of duty, together with the disabled and war veterans, and ensure that they enjoy a decent standard of living.

The state shall take measures to protect the disabled and secure their integration into community life.

The aged shall be protected by the state. State assistance to the aged, and other rights and benefits shall be regulated by law.

The state shall take all kinds of measures for social resettlement of children in need of protection.

To achieve these aims the state shall establish the necessary organisations or facilities, or arrange for their establishment by other bodies.

Link to compendium “The right to Social Security in European Constitutions: Compendium of provisions of European Constitutions related to the right to social security”

Link to Turkish constitution (English and Turkish)

Social Protection and Human Rights