ÜNİPERSEN Demands Centralized Transfer System for Turkish University Staff

Today, July 16, 2026, the University Administrative Staff Union (ÜNİPERSEN) issued a sharp statement calling on the government and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) to establish a centralized transfer system for staff without delay. The union emphasized that the current transfer system, which is based on the personal approval of university rectors (the consent system), lacks objective criteria and has led to the violation of the rights of thousands of employees [1].

Transfer Crisis in University Administration Currently, unlike teachers and healthcare workers who benefit from centralized transfer systems, university administrative staff face numerous legal and administrative obstacles when moving from one city to another. The current system gives university rectors the power to arbitrarily reject staff transfer requests. ÜNİPERSEN noted in its statement that this situation has not only caused the collapse of family cohesion but has also severely reduced workplace productivity and organizational peace [2]. The union calls for replacing this approach with a point-based system (Puan Esası) where work history, marital status, and personal needs are transparently considered.

Continued Protests in Front of the Council of Higher Education ÜNİPERSEN has announced that it will not stop its labor struggle until a final result is achieved. The union, which previously held a week-long round-the-clock sit-in in front of the YÖK building, is now conducting a new program titled "Employee's Agenda" (Memurun Gündemi) live every Monday in front of the council to make the voices of the employees heard by officials [3]. According to the statement released on July 16, these programs will continue without interruption throughout the summer to maintain pressure on decision-making bodies.

Growth of Influence and Public Support for ÜNİPERSEN Statistical reports released earlier this month show that the union's popularity and influence among university staff have increased significantly. According to official Ministry of Labor statistics, ÜNİPERSEN has seen a 38% growth in membership over the past year and is now recognized as the authorized union in six major Turkish universities [4]. This rapid growth reflects deep employee dissatisfaction with the current system and their trust in ÜNİPERSEN's independent and demanding approach. The union emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to create a system where employee transfers are not a "favor" from managers but a transparent legal "right" [1][3].