SKILLED LABOR MIGRATION AND BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT: THE CASE OF MESKHETIAN TURKS

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

Turkish labor market. The study, which used qualitative research methods like in-depth interviews with 21 participants in Antalya and Bursa, discovered significant obstacles such as diploma equivalency issues, protracted citizenship processes, long-term unemployment, and social exclusion. Due to bureaucratic obstacles and the lack of recognition for foreign credentials, many Meskhetian Turks are forced to work in non-professional jobs despite their professional qualifications. The findings highlight the psychological and economic effects of these difficulties, such as alienation, loss of professional identity, and financial instability. The study emphasizes the need for policy changes, such as speeding up diploma equivalency and citizenship processes, combating discrimination, and putting social integration programs into place. By overcoming these obstacles, Turkey can better utilize the potential of skilled migrant labor, encouraging both economic growth and social cohesion. By shedding light on the specific integration difficulties encountered by Meskhetian Turks in Turkey, this research contributes to a broader understanding of skilled migration and offers valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.