The Turkish government and key buyers have been asked to intervene to secure the reinstatement of 35 workers who were unfairly dismissed earlier this week for joining a union.
According to Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation (ITGLWF), the textile workers unions Tekstil/Disk succeeded in signing up a significant number of workers at Inteks International Textile Industry and Export, despite the restrictions on the right to organise in Turkey.
Those restrictions include having to sign up workers through a notary public.
“But the company's response to the organising effort has been in clear violation of the principles of freedom of association”, says Mr. Kearney.
“The manager threatened there would be trouble, and that the company would never allow the union to reach a majority. Management was true to its word and the next day fired 35 union members”.
In a letter to Labour and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Mr. Kearney reminded the government of the importance of upholding freedom of association in line with the policies of the European Union, of which Turkey has ambitions to become a member.
“Some of the buyers contacted have moved quickly to investigate the matter”, says Mr. Kearney. The retailers and buyers involved include Lindex, Ahlens, Indiska, Ellos, Sainsbury, Heatons, Foetex, Pall Mall, Zara and El Corte Ingles.
International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation
marketing@alchempro.com
