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Turkey Allows Tourism Workers to Defer Mandatory Weekly Rest Days

Critics warn the change could normalize ten-day workweeks and erode constitutionally protected rest days

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Overview

  • The new regulation permits tourism employees to take their legally required weekly rest day later at their request rather than mandating rest after six consecutive workdays.
  • The law took effect at the start of the 2025 tourism season even though the Turkish Tourism Ministry has not yet outlined enforcement procedures.
  • CHP vice chairwoman Gülsah Deniz Atalar argues the amendment hands employers undue discretion and risks undermining uninterrupted weekly rest guarantees.
  • Trade union Disk general secretary Gökhan Aslan calls the reform an attack on fundamental labor rights and warns it could spread higher exploitation into other industries.
  • Supporters contend the measure preserves rest entitlements by offering greater scheduling flexibility for both workers and hospitality businesses.