Turkey bars firms from laying off workers amid pandemic

Turkish police officers patrol a deserted Istiklal street at Taksim district in Istanbul on April 12,2020 after a curfew was imposed. (AFP)
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DUBAI: No Turkish employers are allowed to lay off any worker during the coronavirus pandemic, declared Zehra Z眉mr眉t Sel莽uk, the country鈥檚 labor, social services and family minister.

Likewise, employment contracts cannot be nullified for a three-month period except in unconscionable situations, Sel莽uk added.

Turkey will also pay 39.24 Turkish liras, or about $5.70, a day for three months to workers who were forced to take unpaid leaves due to the coronavirus outbreak, Zehra Z眉mr眉t Sel莽uk said in a tweet.

Sel莽uk added that the ministry will bear expenses for elderly and disabled people at private nursing homes and care centers.

Several new steps to mitigate the pandemic鈥檚 impact on economic and social life were approved by the Turkish parliament early on April 16.