Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
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on poverty and crime in this community.111 In July 2014, Kahramanmaraş and Gaziantep saw
tensions boil over into violent attacks on Syrians.112 Such violence has been reported again
during May 2015 in Gaziantep, Hatay and İzmir.113
Benefits to Host Communities
Though Syrian forced migrants have burdened municipalities, increased competition with
locals, and brought fears of insecurity, they have also made immediate positive contributions
to Turkish society. The influx of Syrians has directly benefited sales of consumer goods by
increasing consumption in border cities.114 The refugee influx has also been associated with
increasing exports from border provinces to Syria, which increased by over 200 percent
between 2011 and 2014, and reached USD 278 million in 2013.115 Syrians are also active as
business owners. Between 2011 and 2014, registered Syrian businesses increased from 60 to
209 in Gaziantep. From 2009 to 2014 such businesses increased from 25 to 279 in Mersin.116
The arrival of Syrian migrants has also spawned large humanitarian projects, which bring
financing and job opportunities for locals. Using the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, the
European Union recently announced an initiative to provide USD 44 million in aid through the
World Food Programme.117
In the longer term, the benefits of the forced migrant influx from Syria to Turkey may have a
positive impact on the Turkish economy. Syrian business leaders have arrived in Turkey with
contacts from home. Many goods and services are provided to populations inside Syria
through the port city of Mersin, opening a window for Turkish companies to also take
advantage of this route in future. 118 Building on these connections, a significant portion of
Middle East trade previously conducted in Syria has moved to Turkey.119 Not only Turkish
entrepreneurs, but Syrians who establish themselves in Turkey may introduce Turkish goods
into the Middle East, and increase Turkey’s political and economic influence in the region.
Impacts on Migrants
The impacts of Syrians’ temporary protection in Turkey can also be classified as immediate
and long-term. Upon their arrival, most Syrians used their savings and assets from home to
sustain their families, but experienced a rapid slide into poverty when these resources were
exhausted.120 With poverty has come a desperate search for work. Syrians have often taken
informal jobs in which they are exploited by employers who offer extremely low wages. One
International Medical Corps survey suggests that average monthly income for Syrians in
Gaziantep is less than half of the old Turkish minimum wage.121 Syrians are thus trapped at
111 M. Murat Erdoğan, Syrians in Turkey: Social Acceptance and Integration Research; ORSAM and TESEV, Effects of the Syrian
Refugees on Turkey, 31.
112 ORSAM and TESEV, Effects of the Syrian Refugees on Turkey, 22, 31.
11
114 Ximena V. del Carpio and Mathis Wagner, The Impact of Syrian Refugees on the Turkish Labor Market.
115 Kirişci and Ferris, Not Likely to Go Home , 6 ; ORSAM and TESEV, Effects of the Syrian Refugees on Turkey, 18.
116 ORSAM and TESEV, Effects of the Syrian Refugees on Turkey, 8, 32.
117 Metin Çorabatır, The Evolving Approach to Protection in Turkey, 26 ;
118 ORSAM and TESEV, Effects of the Syrian Refugees on Turkey, 32.
119 Kathleen interview with Center for International Private Enterprise, Washington, DC.
120 World Bank, Turkey’s Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the Road Ahead, 6.
12 World Bank, Turkey’s Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the Road Ahead,
7; Syrians earn on average 406 TL/month, for Turks, previous net minimum wage was 1000.54 TL/month.