Working and living conditions of Afganistans under international protection in Turkey: The example of Yalova province

Afghan migration to Turkey does not constitute a recent phenomenon. Since the 1970s, Turkey has been perceived by Afghan migrants both as a transit country and as a final destination. This migratory flow gained greater visibility after 2021, particularly with the resurgence of the Taliban's influence in Afghanistan, coupled with the compounded effects of natural disasters such as severe droughts and floods. Nevertheless, scholarly research focusing specifically on Afghan migration within the Turkish context remains considerably limited. It is possible to encounter Afghans in nearly every province of Turkey, and Yalova is among the cities where Afghan migrants from Afghanistan have settled. In our view, it is important to explore the reasons why Afghans under international protection choose Yalova as their place of residence and how they influence the local labor market. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the factors shaping the migration decisions of Afghans under international protection with respect to both Turkey in general and Yalova in particular. Another key question addressed in this study is whether Yalova meets the economic, social, and cultural expectations of Afghans living under international protection. The primary aim of this thesis is to reveal the current conditions of Afghans who have migrated from Afghanistan to Turkey and are under international protection, particularly in relation to their participation in working life. In addition, this study seeks to contribute to scholars and practitioners engaged in this field, while also providing insights that may guide the formulation of future policies. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews were conducted between July 10, 2024, and September 15, 2024, with 33 Afghan nationals of working age who are under international protection and residing in Yalova. The data obtained through semi-structured interviews were coded and analyzed using the MAXQDA Analytics Pro software (version 24.6.0). Subsequently, the findings were evaluated in detail. The analysis reveals that a substantial proportion of the participants who migrated to Yalova are young, single men with relatively low levels of formal education. The findings suggest that the choice of Yalova was largely influenced by recommendations from relatives or acquaintances, and that the social networks established through these connections facilitated a more rapid integration into the local community. Furthermore, the participants were predominantly employed in low-wage, precarious jobs, sustaining their livelihoods under challenging socioeconomic conditions. The findings indicate that most participants consider their lives in Yalova to be significantly safer than in Afghanistan and exhibit a strong inclination to maintain their residence in the city. However, a considerable number of participants perceive Yalova primarily as a temporary transit point, with the intention of eventually migrating to European countries in pursuit of enhanced socioeconomic opportunities and a more prosperous standard of living. Keywords: Irregular Migration, International Protection, Afghanistan, Yalova, Turkey