Erol Kiresepi Attends Joint Sharing Forum

Erol Kiresepi Participated in Joint Sharing Forum Erol Kiresepi, Chairman of the Board of Santa Farma İlaç Sanayii, Vice Chairman of the Board of KİPLAS and Honorary President of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), spoke at the Joint Sharing Forum organised by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK) and TİSK Microsurgery Foundation this year for the fourth time under the main theme "Sustainability in Working Life". The Joint Sharing Forum "OPF 2022", organised by TİSK and TİSK Microsurgery Foundation under the main theme "Sustainability in Working Life" for the fourth time this year and bringing together the public, labour and employer sides that form the tripartite foundation of working life, took place on 13 October as an in-person event with high-level participation from international organisations. The meeting was attended by Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Bilgin, TİSK Board Chairman Özgür Burak Akkol and KİPLAS Board Chairman and TİSK Board Member Levent Kocagül. Vice President Fuat Oktay also participated in the event with a video message.

High-Level Participation from International Organisations

Speaking in the International Organisations session of the Forum, IOE Honorary President Erol Kiresepi noted that the processes of digitalisation and green transition, referred to as twin transformations, have profoundly affected societies and enterprises in recent years, and that workforce sustainability has emerged as an issue requiring urgent consideration alongside the twin transition. Pointing to estimates by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the ILO, he stated that the renewable energy sector has the capacity to employ 25 million people by 2030 and 43 million by 2050. Highlighting the impact of the transformation on the workforce, Kiresepi noted that comprehensive training of the workforce, equipping them with new skills and enhancing existing skills are essential to adapt to these transformations and to make proper use of the emerging potential. Emphasizing that stakeholders in working life coming together under OPF today cannot be expected to remain silent on this transformation, Kiresepi underscored the need for adaptation measures and incentive models for all enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

Only 42 Percent of Workers Benefit from Employer-Supported Skill Development Opportunities

Referring to the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), a pioneering initiative bringing together key stakeholders in workforce skills development, Erol Kiresepi said that during this period it is particularly supporting companies by focusing on green skills, and that GAN, established in 2013, has great potential as a collective action and collaboration platform. Noting that in this process requiring stronger participation in the profound transformation underway, only 42 percent of workers can benefit from skill development opportunities falling short of expectations, Kiresepi emphasised the importance of lifelong learning and personal development for increased employability at the individual level. Referring to some major global initiatives supporting workforce sustainability, Erol Kiresepi noted that UN Secretary-General Guterres has launched a "Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection in the World of Work", and that Gilbert Houngbo, who has taken up the position of ILO Director-General, aims to establish a Global Coalition for Social Justice, expressing their determination as Turkish and global employers to actively participate in these initiatives. Pandemic Left Women at a Disproportionate Disadvantage At the end of his remarks, emphasising that the pandemic period left women at a disproportionate disadvantage, the IOE Honorary President highlighted that while male employment fell by 3.9 percent in 2020, female employment experienced a 5 percent decline. He stated that sustainable workforce also means providing equal opportunities for women and men. Expressing that he personally participated in the development of the B20 initiative "Global Women Empowerment Platform", which aims to develop cooperation on this matter and increase the impact of different initiatives through strengthening local actors, Erol Kiresepi called upon the parties and said: "I expect your full support for the 'Global Women Empowerment Platform', together we can make this happen."