The Labour Law (Law No. 4857) of Türkiye has the purpose to regulate the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees regarding working conditions and the work environment. The main stakeholders involved are employers, employees, and employer representatives. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security oversees the implementation and enforcement of the law. This law applies to all workplaces, employers, and employees, except for specific exceptions such as maritime and air transport, agricultural enterprises with fewer than 50 workers, and family businesses. It covers the entire national territory of Turkey. Article 4 focuses on the exceptions, as the law does not apply to certain jobs and work relationships. Article 5 focuses on the topics of non-discrimination, as the employers cannot discriminate based on language, race, colour, gender, disability, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, or similar reasons, equal treatment (part-time and full-time employees, as well as those with fixed-term and indefinite contracts, must be treated equally unless there are essential reasons), gender equality (no lower wages for the same or equivalent work based on gender. Protective provisions for gender should not justify lower wages), and on compensations (employees can claim compensation if discriminated against, up to four months' wages, plus any other rights they were deprived of).
It was adopted on May 22, 2003, and published in the Official Gazette on June 10, 2003.