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Solidarity with Turkey

Trade union rights and civil liberties have significantly deteriorated in Turkey since the attempted coup of 15 and 16 July 2016. Under the state of emergency, the Turkish government has arrested and detained thousands of workers and trade unionists. By 8 February 2017, more than 100,000 public employees have been summarily suspended or dismissed, accused in most cases without any basis of proof or evidence of having been involved in the attempted military coup. This situation continues until today. #Turkey

Public sector trade unions continue their struggle following rigged election in Turkey

06 July 2018

The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) has published a press statement on the general elections which were held in Turkey on 24 June 2018. Despite rigged elections, KESK, together with other unions, will continue to struggle for labour, trade union and human rights.

Turkey: Court releases human rights activists

26 October 2017
Taner Kiliç - photo: Amnesty International UK

Court in Istanbul will release Director of Amnesty Turkey, İdil Eser, and other activists who were arrested in July. Campaigners will press for the release of Amnesty Turkey's Chair, Taner Kılıç (pictured), whose separate trial begins on 27 October.

Trade union movement rejects Turkey as a venue for the ILO European Regional Meeting

18 August 2017

Many trade unions have already clearly stated that they will not participate in the ILO European Regional Meeting in Istanbul in 2-5 October this year due to the worsening situation regarding freedom of speech and violation of fundamental labour and human rights in Turkey.

Release Zeynep Çelik NOW! Stop attacks on the Turkish people!

03 May 2017

The arrest of Zeynep Çelik by the Turkish government on May Day is totally unacceptable to the Public Services International. Zeynep, is a nurse and former Executive Committee member of PSI Turkish affiliate Dev-Sağlık-İş (DISK).

Turkey: Solidarity fund for trade unions

20 April 2017

In the aftermath of the failed coup that took place last July, the Turkish government has arrested and detained thousands of workers and trade unionists. Public employees have been summarily suspended or dismissed. PSI calls on affiliates to contribute to a solidarity fund to help trade unions and workers operate under these difficult conditions. #SolidarityTurkey

Solidarity with dismissed unionists in Turkey

21 February 2017

Ms. Gülüzar ATES, is a union representative and has been working for the Bureau of Labourers Union (a member of KESK) for the past 14 years. She is one of the thousands of Turkish public employees who were removed from their jobs after the attempted coup of 15 July 2016.

In Turkey, Erdoğan lays off over 40 SES members

04 August 2016

PSI's affiliate SES (the trade union of Public Employees in Health and Social Services) organized a press meeting to protest the unlawful temporary layoffs of public employees, declaration of state of emergency and the decrees suspending democracy and the parliamentary system. They have sent PSI the following report of the situation.

Turkey: Solidarity fund for trade unions

20 April 2017

In the aftermath of the failed coup that took place last July, the Turkish government has arrested and detained thousands of workers and trade unionists. Public employees have been summarily suspended or dismissed. PSI calls on affiliates to contribute to a solidarity fund to help trade unions and workers operate under these difficult conditions. #SolidarityTurkey

Trade unionists killed and arrested in Turkey

21 January 2016

Sanitation worker Mehmet Kaplan, father of three children and member of PSI affiliate DİSK/Genel-İş Union in Cizre Municipality (Şırnak), was shot dead on 17 January in front of his house while another worker was seriously injured and a further three arrested in separate incidents.

Turkey: PSI General Secretary meets dismissed health care workers, denounces attack on labour rights

13 January 2015

In December 2014, the hospital of Maltepe University in Istanbul dismissed nearly 100 workers for being members of the Progressive Union of Health Workers. PSI/EPSU ask all affiliates to join the LabourStart campaign calling for the reinstatement of these workers.

Turkey: Stop the judicial harassment of trade unionists

23 January 2014
KESK rally outside Ankara criminal court - April 2012

PSI joins EPSU and ITUC in denouncing the Turkish government’s anti-union attacks as well as the abuse of the Turkish legal and judicial system by the authorities against the trade union movement.

PSI calls on its affiliates to take action now and tell the government of Turkey to stop judicial harassment against trade unionists.


Send your protest message, sign the ITUC online action or download the model letter

15 public sector trade unionists have been arrested in Turkey

16 February 2012
MayDay 2010 - Turkey

On 13 February 2012, 15 women union leaders and activists belonging to PSI and EPSU affiliates SES (Trade Union of Public Employees in Health and Social Services), Tüm Bel Sen (Union of All Municipality Civil Servants) and BES (Trade Union of Public Administration Employees); as well as to Education International (EI) affiliate Egitim Sen and to the Confederation of Civil Servants Trade Unions, KESK, (affiliated to the ITUC), were arrested and dragged from their homes in early morning raids. The police also invaded the unions’ head offices as part of a so-called police investigation.