Tourism Labor Law Sparks Uproar Over 10-Day Work Week

A newly enacted law reshaping weekly rest regulations in the tourism sector has triggered widespread backlash from labor experts and unions, who say the measure undermines workers’ fundamental rights. Published in the Official Gazette today, the law was approved by the President and is now officially in effect.

Social Security expert Prof. Dr. Aziz Çelik has emerged as one of the strongest critics, branding the law a “legal reinforcement of modern slavery.” In a statement made via social media, Çelik emphasized that the regulation violates the Turkish Constitution and should be urgently challenged before the Constitutional Court (AYM).

“Turizm sektöründe kölelik pekişti!”
(“Slavery in the tourism sector has been reinforced!”)

Rest Rights Postponed to Day 11

Under the new law, tourism workers will effectively forfeit their right to a weekly day off after six consecutive workdays. Instead of taking their weekly rest on the 7th day, employees will now be entitled to it only on the 11th day, according to Çelik.

He added that no overtime compensation would be paid to employees required to work on their rightful rest days, making this a direct assault on labor protections.

“They’ll work 6 days, lose their rest on day 7, and only get it on day 11. And those working through their rest day won’t be paid overtime,” said Çelik.

A Constitutional Violation, Experts Warn

Çelik argues that the legislation breaches constitutional rights to rest and equality, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for other industries.

“This is a direct attack on the right to weekly rest and could extend beyond tourism,” he cautioned.

Longer Workweeks, Longer Workdays

The new law comes in addition to earlier amendments to the Labor Law that allowed daily working hours in tourism to stretch up to 11 hours, based on a 4-month balancing period. Now, with the inclusion of a 10-day workweek, experts say working conditions in the tourism industry are becoming increasingly deregulated.

“With this change, we’ve officially entered a regime of 10-day workweeks and 11-hour workdays in tourism,” Çelik stated.

He also criticized the close ties between political leadership and the tourism industry, implying conflict of interest:

“In a country where the Tourism Minister is also a tourism boss, this isn’t surprising.”

Çelik has called for the law to be annulled, urging immediate legal action at the Constitutional Court to protect worker rights and uphold the Constitution.