Our Minister of Family and Social Services, Derya YANIK, said: “Last year, our Ministry transferred 670 thousand TL to sheltered workshops for our citizens with disabilities. In addition, since 2016, when sheltered workshops were established, we have provided a total of 2 million 276 thousand TL allowance for individuals with disabilities working in these workplaces.”
Minister Derya YANIK stated that they carry out a sheltered employment model within the scope of their policies that support the participation of citizens with disabilities in social life as productive and independent individuals, and that at least 40 percent of persons with mental or psychological disabilities are employed in sheltered workshops, which are supported not only financially but also technically by the Ministry.
Stating that the workplaces in question must employ at least 5 persons with disabilities with the specified characteristics in order to receive state support, Minister YANIK said: “Sheltered workshops enable our citizens with mental or psychological disabilities to be employed and stay in a long-term business life by focusing on their interests, abilities and skills in cooperation with the private sector. The employer of a workplace where at least 5 persons with mental or psychological disabilities work and the ratio of the number of individuals with disabilities to the total number of workers is not less than 50 percent, can apply to our Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services in order to gain sheltered workshop status.”
1.298 TL allowance for each employee with disabilities in sheltered workshops
Minister YANIK stated that while the Ministry provided 991.69 TL monthly allowance for each employee with disabilities to sheltered workshops in 2021, they increased this allowance to 1,298 TL for the first 6 months of 2022, adding, “Last year, our Ministry provided an allowance of 670 thousand TL to sheltered workshops for our citizens with disabilities. In addition, since 2016, when sheltered workshops were established, we have provided a total of 2 million 276 thousand TL allowance for individuals with disabilities working in these workplaces.”
What is a Sheltered workshop?
Sheltered workshop is defined as a workplace that is technically and financially supported by the state and whose working environment is specially arranged in order to create employment for individuals with mental or psychological disabilities who are difficult to integrate into the labour market. In sheltered workshops those with a mental or psychological disability of at least 40 percent can work. At least 5 persons with disabilities with the specified characteristics are required to work in the sheltered workshops.