Speaking at the meeting, Ali Yalçın stated that, at a time when social dialogue and relations of trust are needed more than ever, the continuation of dialogue between Türkiye and the European Union, as well as with other countries on the path towards EU membership, is of great importance. He underlined that the meeting provides a valuable platform for civil society organisations and social partners to exchange views and contribute to mutual understanding.

Yalçın emphasised that the fact that the accession process has not gained the long-awaited momentum, and that many negotiation chapters still remain unopened, has weakened public trust and enthusiasm.  He further stated that the most urgent need in the current period is to strengthen social dialogue and rebuild mutual trust between people. In this regard, he emphasised the need to reinforce the membership perspective, revitalise the negotiation process and take concrete steps in chapters that directly concern the future of societies. He also underlined that civil society organisations, social partners and professional organisations have an important responsibility in this process.

Hamza Öksüz delivered a presentation titled “Labour and Human Centred Digital Transformation” during the session “Digital Transformation, Technological Development and Innovation: Policies and Governance”.

In his presentation, Hamza Öksüz stated that digital transformation should not be regarded merely as a process of technological renewal, but also as an issue of labour, social policy and governance. He noted that digitalisation directly affects forms of work, performance evaluation systems, the use of workers’ data, skills requirements, social rights and the organisation of work.

Emphasising that trade unions are not opposed to digital transformation, Öksüz underlined that this transformation must be governed through an approach that places human dignity, labour, social justice and workers’ rights at its centre.

Öksüz further stated that the principle “Technology must serve human beings; human beings must not be subordinated to technology” should constitute the basic approach, adding that digital transformation cannot be designed solely around the objectives of efficiency, competitiveness and innovation.

The presentation also emphasised that the principles of transparency, accountability, collective bargaining, social dialogue, data protection and human oversight must be placed at the heart of digital transformation processes. Attention was also drawn to key issues such as algorithmic management, digital surveillance, workers’ privacy, the right to disconnect, skills transformation, digital inclusion, platform work and precarious employment.

Stressing that algorithmic decisions affecting workers must be transparent, explainable, auditable and open to appeal, Öksüz stated that no worker should be penalised, excluded from the system or dismissed on the basis of unexplained algorithmic decisions.

The presentation further highlighted the importance of addressing digital and green transformation together. It was noted that the cost of the twin transition should not be imposed on workers, and that the principle of just transition requires the protection of employment, the acquisition of new skills, the strengthening of social protection and the participation of workers in decision-making processes.  In this regard, it was also emphasised that trade unions should establish research and development (R&D) units in order to take an active and effective role in this process.