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Turkey

Global Unions Call for Immediate End to Repression in Turkey

20 June 2013

Global Unions, collectively representing over 200 million union members, including in Turkey, stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey. Our organisations wish to reiterate their serious concern at the repeated use of brutal and excessive measures including rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon by government security forces against people peacefully exercising their rights.

Turkey: End police violence now!

Photo by Elif Altinbasak - Turkish flag + banner calling to stop police violence

PSI joins the ITUC and other global unions in supporting the international days of action on 21-22 June and calling on the Turkish government to immediately end police brutality, to respect these protests and trade union actions. PSI calls on all its affiliates to support the on-going protests in Istanbul’s Taksim square and throughout Turkey.

Turkish unions launch general strike as government repression intensifies

17 June 2013
Kani Beko, President, DISK, Turkey, speaking in front of the United Nations building before the departure of the Route of Shame

PSI pledges its full support to the general strike called by five major trade union centres and professional organisations on 17 June 2013. PSI joins the ITUC and other global unions in calling on the Turkish government to immediately end police brutality, to respect these protests and trade union actions, and to enter into dialogue to address the legitimate concerns expressed.

PSI statement on Turkey at the International Labour Conference

12 June 2013
Inside the Committee for Application of Standards ILO

On 11 June 2013, PSI made a statement on Turkey during the meeting of the Committee on the Application of Standards at the International Labour Conference. Rosa Pavanelli, PSI general secretary, gave the following short presentation.

LGBT Workers

06 June 2013

PSI is committed to equality for all irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context. LGBT workers’ rights are trade union rights, and trade union rights are human rights. Trade unions are committed to fight against discrimination and for an inclusive non-violent society.

EPSU/PSI demands respect for the right to expression, right to demonstrate and the right to strike action in Turkey

05 June 2013
Taksim square, Istanbul

EPSU/PSI has expressed its concerns to the Turkish government over the reports of police violence and arrests of opponents of the government. People have the right to express their concerns and engage in protests and industrial action against government policy they disagree with. ITUC and others have launched a campaign to protest against the police brutality.

Turkey: trade Union expert İsmet Aslan released from prison

22 May 2013
Ismet Aslan

In Istanbul, trade union expert İsmet Aslan and 14 other suspects were released on 30 April after 16 months in pre-trial custody. This follows the release of 22 KESK members from prison in Ankara on 10 April, after facing baseless terrorism charges and spending 10 months in prison. Those released included members of Public Services International affiliates representing workers in the public sector as well as members of the teachers’ union Eğitim-Sen.

PSI at the International Labour Conference (ILC)

14 May 2013

The 107th Session of the International Labour Conference will be held at the Palais des Nations and the ILO headquarters, in Geneva, from 28 May to 8 June 2018. PSI will be working in close cooperation with its affiliates and the Workers’ Group at the ILC to make the voices of public sector workers heard!

Turkey lifts travel bans on women trade unionists facing charges

30 April 2013
Güler Elveren, Bedriye Yorgun and Güldane Erdogan

Fifteen women trade unionists from the independent confederation of public service unions, KESK, were in court on 18 April 2013. During the short hearing, the judges lifted the foreign travel ban; previously a condition of their bail.

Turkish trade unionists out of prison

18 April 2013
Rally outside Adliye Criminal Court, Ankara 10.04.13

A first hearing results in bail for members of PSI affiliated unions. Twenty-two KESK Turkish trade unionists facing baseless terrorism charges were freed on bail on 10 April 2013 after spending 10 months in prison. Those released included members of Public Services International affiliates representing workers in the public sector as well as members of the teachers’ union Eğitim-Sen.