Job Discussion Forums

[billy orr]

I am wondering what other teachers in Turkey are getting as far as health cover is concerned. What happens when you need a doctor? Do you have SGK or private cover? What do language schools and universities provide in this respect?

[coffeespoonman]

Most language schools = nothing. Not even SGK since you're not legally working anyways.

Private Unis give you private insurance, usually quite good. Turkey's not very into preventative medicine, so you'll pay a bit for checkups and tests (like 20% or so), but your emergency stuff and surgeries will likely be free (or very close).

[billy orr]

Do most language schools really not pay social security? The authorities usually come down hard on businesses that don't pay the taxes and social security. How do the schools hide so much expenditure? And it is easy for a former employee to make a complaint about a workplace after leaving and force them to pay the SSK, it only takes a standard letter from a noter. Surely at least one disgruntled former employee must have tried that by now.

[coffeespoonman]

Perhaps a former teacher at a language school could rat out a school and get some compensation... However, I doubt it for 3 reasons:

1. The teacher would also be blamed and probably deported for working illegally. It takes two.

2. The school is the one paying the bribes - who are the inspectors going to side with?

3. The school is probably Turk-managed, and the teacher is an illegal immigrant. Again, who are the inspectors going to side with?

Now, if a teacher were working LEGALLY and not getting SGK, then there would be clear leverage for the teacher to get what they're entitled to.

[bulgogiboy]

I got private health insurance, but I was working legally. For most things you paid 20% of the regular cost, but there were a few exceptions. On the whole it wasn't bad, considering it was free.

If you're working legally, and also paying the exorbitant taxes that Turks have to pay, then you are entitled to the same social security benefits.

If you make a conscious decision to work illegally then you have no right to any of the above, and I feel that's entirely appropriate for an illegal worker.

When it becomes rather unfair is if your employer deducts 'taxes' even though you are working illegally. So you pay, but have zero rights. Again though, the fact that you make a conscious decision to break the law and work illegally means you have to take what you get.

If you work in Turkey, my advice is to find an employer who will go to the trouble to get you a work permit.

[billy orr]

good explanations thanks