Hiring Filipino Caregivers / Nannnies in Turkey: A Complete Guide to the Process and Requirements

In recent years, the number of families in Turkey seeking foreign domestic helpers or carers has risen significantly. The main reason for this is that the local workforce is generally reluctant to live with employers or is not particularly keen on full-time domestic work. Consequently, Turkish families are looking for alternatives and turning to foreign caregivers.

Why Do Filipino Women Prefer Turkey in Particular?

Economic Expectations and Better Earnings

Many Filipino women actually hold highly respected professions in their own country, such as teaching or nursing. However, economic conditions in the Philippines unfortunately do not provide a sufficient livelihood. When they work as domestic workers or child carers in Turkey, they can earn a much higher income than they would in their own country. For them, this is a sensible financial choice.

A More Liberal Working Environment

Turkey is a veritable breath of fresh air for women fleeing the oppressive and rigid rules found in some countries. In some countries, employers impose harsh conditions, such as confiscating passports, refusing to grant days off, or forbidding employees from going out. In Turkey, however, workers carry their own passports, travel as they please during their weekly days off, and have the right to leave their jobs if they are unhappy.

A “Bridge” (Stepping Stone) Strategy to the Western World

For many Filipino women, Turkey is not actually their final destination. They view this country as a transit point from which to move on to Canada, the United States, or European countries. As it is virtually impossible to obtain a visa for Western countries directly from the Philippines, they come to Turkey first, gaining international experience while also taking a strategic step.

Warm Social Structure and Hospitality

Filipino migrants find Turkish people to be much more warm-hearted and humane (particularly when compared to Arab communities). The fact that Turkish families treat them as “part of the family” and sit with them at the same table and the close bonds formed make them feel safe.

Active Social Networks and Recommendations

Recommendations from friends or relatives who have previously settled here and are satisfied with their lives play a significant role in the decision to come to Turkey. The strong support networks established by Filipino women in the country provide guidance to newcomers on everything from finding work to cultural adaptation.

Turning Over a New Leaf in Their Personal Lives

Sometimes, moving abroad is not just about earning money. Some women choose this path to escape personal or family problems in the Philippines, to turn over a new leaf in their lives, and to offer their children a better future.

Why Do Turkish Families Choose Filipino Women in Particular?

The reason why families in Turkey turn first to Filipino women for domestic work or childcare lies in the reputation for quality and trustworthiness associated with “Filipino workers,” which has become firmly established over the years.

Children Learning English at an Early Age

Families in the higher income bracket, in particular, want their children to grow up bilingual by being exposed to English from a young age. Filipino carers directly meet this expectation. Moreover, compared to American or British nannies whose first language is English, they offer a similar standard of language practice at a much more reasonable cost.

High Level of Education and Qualifications

A large proportion of Filipino women who migrate are university or college graduates. The fact that educated women with qualifications from their home countries work as domestic helpers in Turkey means that, for employers, they represent a highly conscientious, competent, and qualified profile.

“Brand Philippines” — Trust and Professionalism

In the labor market, Filipino women are known as hard-working, loyal, adaptable, and trouble-free employees. Turkish employers report that Filipino domestic workers fulfill their responsibilities with a strong work ethic, without requiring constant supervision. Compared to other groups, they are extremely successful at maintaining that “professional distance” in working relationships; they do not make unreasonable demands and take their work seriously.

A Deep-rooted Culture of Care and Emotional Labor

The sincere compassion Filipinos show towards children is quite unique. Their most distinctive trait is that they love the children in their care as if they were their own and regard the household where they work as their own home. Thanks to their deep-rooted culture of “caring for and taking ownership of,” they come to view the household they serve as their own family within a short time.

A Symbol of Social Status and Prestige

In Turkey, particularly in luxury residential complexes in major cities, employing a Filipino domestic helper or nanny has, over time, become a symbol of prestige. The fact that their wage standards are higher than those of other migrant groups places them at the top of the domestic labor hierarchy. Furthermore, their ability to adapt quickly to modern city life, coupled with their polite and well-mannered demeanor, is seen by employers as a reflection of their own standard of living.

Professionalism and Knowing One’s Place

According to employers’ experiences in Turkey, Filipinos are seen as more successful than other ethnic groups in “knowing their place” and maintaining professional boundaries. Employers state that Filipino domestic workers do not make excessive demands, are patient, and carry out their duties with a serious attitude.

What Exactly Do Filipino Women Do in Turkey?

Childcare

In fact, when one thinks of Filipino workers in Turkey, the first thing that springs to mind is undoubtedly childcare, or nannying. In particular, well-off families in the higher income bracket are practically competing to find Filipino carers so that their children can learn English at a younger age and grow up bilingual. Combined with their well-known affectionate and patient approach towards children, they are regarded in the market as the “ideal carer.”

Care for the elderly and the sick

They also shoulder a huge burden when it comes to caring for the elderly and the sick at home. They take care of everything from monitoring the elderly’s daily medication to attending to their personal needs. This work is sometimes carried out alongside childcare, while at other times it is provided entirely on its own as a professional care service.

Domestic work

Another major area is what we refer to as general housekeeping. They are responsible for cleaning, cooking, laundry, ironing, and every conceivable aspect of running a household. As they generally live in with the family, households tend to view them as “all-rounders” — that is, versatile workers who can handle any task. One moment they’re tidying the house, the next they’re looking after the children; in other words, we could say they keep the whole household running smoothly.

Other areas

• Education and Private Tuition: As their English is at a native level, they do not just provide childcare; they give private English tuition to school-age children at home and help them with their homework.
• Healthcare Services (Home Nursing): This is particularly interesting: some of the women who come here are actually qualified nurses in their home countries. As such, in serious situations requiring professional and medical care at home, they effectively work as home nurses.
• Massage Therapy: Those with qualifications in this field, in particular, can work as massage therapists in hotel spas on their days off or on a part-time basis.
• Other Service Sectors: Although not very common, there are also some among them who work as professional chefs, while others utilize their language skills to work as receptionists or secretaries in certain companies.

What Training Do Filipino Women Undergo Before Coming to Turkey?

Most people assume that these women simply come to Turkish households through an agency, having found an ordinary job, but that is not the case at all. Behind it all lies a peculiar system established by the Philippine government, which regulates every step with incredible rigor. For a woman to be able to pick up her passport and board a flight through legal channels, she is required to undergo not just a mere formality but professional and cultural training that is quite close to military discipline.

Vocational and Technical Education (TESDA)

The first stop is the state-run technical education institution known as TESDA. In Turkey, women who are to look after children, do cleaning, or act as domestic helpers must prove that they can carry out this work to a truly professional standard. They attend courses, work up a sweat, and, at the end of the day, receive an NC II certificate. You can think of this document as a sort of international domestic services diploma, proof that they know everything from childcare to housekeeping.

Pre-Employment Orientation (PEOS)

Firstly, an online seminar called PEOS is held for women. The government addresses the women, telling them, “Going abroad isn’t easy; these are your rights; pay attention to these points in your contract.” Most importantly, they warn them not to fall into the traps set by fraudulent agents in the market.

Pre-Departure Orientation (PDOS)

Once everything has been arranged and the ticket to Turkey is in their pocket, the famous one-day seminar known as PDOS comes into play. Here, one could say they are put through a sort of accelerated simulation of life in Turkey. They are told, point by point, what Turkish people like, what the laws are, what the traditions are, and what to do on the plane. They also bring psychology into the mix, telling you, “You are the heroes who are saving your families and representing your country,” thereby placing a huge sense of responsibility on your shoulders.

Comprehensive Pre-Departure Training Programme (CPDEP)

As domestic work is prone to exploitation in every country, the government regards these women as a “high-risk group.” For this reason, there is a much more rigorous and intensive residential program known as the CPDEP. As if the other seminars were not enough, here the women are taught basic Turkish vocabulary sufficient to get by in Turkey, given lessons on how to avoid culture shock, and, most importantly, shown how to cope with homesickness and the stress of living abroad.

Financial Literacy Training

The Central Bank of the Philippines leaves nothing to chance; it wants every woman who goes abroad to bring foreign currency back into the country. In these training sessions, the women are told, “Whatever money you earn by working day and night in Turkey, do not squander it.” They are thoroughly drilled on how to send money back home with the least possible deductions, how to save, and how to become small business owners when they eventually return to their home country.

Post-Arrival Orientation (PAOS)

Don’t think that everything ends in the Philippines; there is, of course, a Turkish part to the process as well. As soon as the women set foot here, they head to the Philippine Embassy together with their Turkish employers and attend the PAOS seminar. At this final meeting, current Turkish legislation, the limits of work permits, and the rights of both the worker and the employer are discussed, and only then is the process formalized.

Conditions for Employing Foreign Domestic Workers in Turkey

The protection mechanisms and certification system provided by the Philippine government help to safeguard the rights of these workers.

In Turkey, however, there are specific legal procedures for Filipino women wishing to work in domestic service. Processes such as applying for a work permit, demonstrating financial eligibility, meeting income requirements, and preparing the necessary documentation must be carried out with the utmost care by both the employer and the employee. The growing demand for foreign domestic workers in Turkey presents a significant employment opportunity for Filipino women.

Employing a foreign national in domestic service in Turkey requires compliance with specific legal procedures. A work permit is mandatory, and a residence permit does not confer the right to work.

Conditions to be met by the employer

• Electronic signature: A Turkish employer must obtain an electronic signature from an authorized provider.
• Financial eligibility: The employer must prove that they have sufficient income or assets to cover the employee’s salary.
• Minimum wage obligation: A domestic worker must be paid at least the national minimum wage.
• Purpose of employment: The work must fall clearly within one of the approved categories (childcare, care for the elderly, care for the sick).

Application Process

An application for a work permit for a foreign domestic worker can be made in two different ways:

Application from within Turkey (Local application)

If the foreign worker holds a valid residence permit for at least six months in Turkey, the employer may apply for a work permit directly from within Turkey. The application process usually takes between one and two months.

Application from abroad (Consular application)

If the worker does not hold a valid residence permit in Turkey, the process must be initiated at the Turkish Consulate in the worker’s home country. The Consulate will issue a reference number, and the employer will complete the application in Turkey. Once the work permit has been approved and the visa issued, the worker may enter Turkey.

Required Documents

Various documents are required from both the employee and the employer for a foreign national wishing to work in domestic service in Turkey:

Documents required from the employee

• A photocopy of the passport (must be valid for at least 8 months)
• Biometric photograph
• Residence permit application form
• Annual private health insurance
• Declaration of residence
• Certificate of good conduct (in some cases)

Documents required from the employer

• Notarized declaration of undertaking
• Application form/letter of application
• Proof of address
• Electricity/water/natural gas bill
• Extract from the population register
• Proof of income (bank statements covering 6–12 months)
• Social Security Institution (SGK) service record

Special Conditions for Domestic Services

There are specific conditions for employing foreign nationals in domestic service in Turkey:

• Restrictions on the scope of work: Work permits for domestic service are limited to three areas only: childcare for children under 12, care for the elderly over 65, and care for patients of all age groups.
• Income requirement: The employer’s monthly income must be at least four times the minimum wage.
• Legal entry: The foreign worker must have entered Turkey with a passport via official channels. Applications from those who have entered the country illegally will under no circumstances be accepted.
• Address registration: Once the work permit has been approved, the worker must register their address at the employer’s home address within 20 working days of entering Turkey.

Social Security Registration

Once a work permit has been obtained, the employer is obliged to register the employee with the Social Security Institution (SGK). The payment of social security contributions is vital for the validity of the work permit and any future renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the legal work permit process for Filipino women work? The process begins with an application for a work visa at the Turkish Consulate in Manila, followed by obtaining authorization from the Ministry of Labor in Turkey. On the Philippine side, the process is completed with approval from POLO and an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) obtained from the DMW; the total duration is approximately 14 weeks.

What health tests must they undergo before leaving the country? They must undergo comprehensive screenings at clinics approved by the Philippine Department of Health, including tests for AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis B, drug screening, blood tests, a chest X-ray, an eye examination, and a psychological assessment.

Do Filipino carers carry out household chores as well as looking after children? Most Filipino workers are described as “all-round”; in other words, as well as looking after children, they also carry out general household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and ironing.

Are there any specific requirements for obtaining a work permit for the care of the elderly or the sick? Yes, in Turkey, in order for a foreign national to obtain a permit to care for the elderly or the sick, it is mandatory to submit a medical report demonstrating that the person requiring care has a serious need for care.

Why do Filipino women prefer Turkey to other Middle Eastern countries? Turkey is considered to be safer and more liberal and to offer higher wages. Furthermore, the fact that employers in Turkey treat them “like a member of the family” is a key reason for their preference.

What is the “stepping stone” strategy? For many Filipino women, Turkey serves as a temporary stopover or transit point where they gain experience before moving on to their ultimate destinations: Canada, the US, or European countries.

What are the weekly days off and working hours like? They generally take one day off per week, and Sunday is the preferred day for church visits. While working hour limits for live-in workers can sometimes be unclear, official contracts emphasize the right to at least 12 hours’ uninterrupted rest per day.

In which provinces of Turkey are they most commonly employed? The vast majority work in Istanbul (particularly in wealthy households); however, they are also in demand in major cities such as Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, and Mersin.

What does the term “TNT” (Tago ng Tago) mean? In Tagalog, it means “always hidden”; it is a term used to describe migrants who remain in Turkey and work off the books (illegally) despite their visas or work permits having expired.

Why does the Philippine government refer to its workers as “Bagong Bayani” (New National Heroes)? Due to the massive foreign exchange inflows (remittances) they send back to the country’s economy, the Philippine government honors them as “heroes of modern times.”

What are the legal risks of employing a Filipino nanny in Turkey? Employing staff without a work permit results in serious administrative fines for the employer; furthermore, if an undocumented worker is caught by the police, they will be deported.

What is “transnational motherhood”? It refers to women leaving their children in the Philippines and attempting to fulfill their maternal duties from a distance by working thousands of kilometers away to earn the money needed to support them.

Why has the Philippine government awarded domestic workers the title of ‘super maids’? It has used this title with the aim of professionalizing these workers, adding value to them, and protecting them by emphasizing that they have been trained to a higher standard.

What is the average salary of Filipino workers in Turkey? While salaries vary depending on the nature of the work and experience, they generally range between 700 and 1,000 US dollars. In some professional roles, this figure can rise to as much as 2,000 dollars.