​Central

Central administration and de-concentrated branches

State authorities are responsible for:

• Legislative and organisational competences on social policy and social security;
• The social security institution (SGK) implements the social security system;
• The Social Assistance and Solidarity General Directorate (SYDGM) through all assistance and solidarity foundations present in all provinces assist citizens in need and contribute to the improvement of wealth distribution by taking precautions in reinforcing social justice and encouraging solidarity;
• General Directorate of Foundations (Decree N°227) provides wages to the handicapped, and to people in need, provides them with food, pays the hospital expenses of people in need, give grants to students in need and gives social assistance to anyone who is in trouble for any reason;
• The Social Security Institution (Law N° 2022): provides a salary for those in need, over 65, handicapped over 18 and legally responsible for a handicapped person under 18. Under the same law, treatment costs of the elderly and handicapped who received a salary are covered by the state thanks to the "Green Card"; and
• Families, children, the disabled and the elderly who are in need of protection are given boarding or day-time continuous protection and care for 24 hours by the Social Services and Child Welfare Establishment (SHÇEK).

The Economic and Social Council provides the government with consultative opinions in the formulation of social policies (Art. 166 of the Constitution).

Regional

Provincial government

According to Article 6 (b) of the Special Provincial Administrative Act, the special provincial administrations have the duty, provided that it is of a local and common nature:

• To provide services relating to social services within provincial boundaries.

Local

Municipal government

Assistance and solidarity foundations in all provinces ensure the competences of the Social Assistance and Solidarity General Directorate (SYDGM).

Municipalities can provide the following services (Article 14 of the Municipal Law):

• Social and aid services.

Metropolitan Municipalities shall (Article 7 of the Law on Metropolitan Municipalities):

• Build and operate social facilities serving the entire metropolitan area; and
• Manage and develop social services of all kind for adults, elderly people, persons with disabilities, women, young people and children

Sources:

Constitution of Turkey.

Law on Municipalities, Law N° 5393, dates from 03.07.2005.

Law on Special Provincial Administration, Law N° 5302, dates from 22.02.2005.

Law on Metropolitan Municipalities, Law N° 5216, dates from 10.07.2004.

Law N°3146 of 01/09/1985 on the organisation and functions of the ministry of Labour and social security,

Ministry of Labour and social security