Since 1 September over 130 workers have been dismissed by Turkish transport company MEDLOG in what they believe is an anti-union attack in the face of Nakliyat-İş’s successful organising among its employees.
The ITF protested on 9 September but Nakliyat-İş called for further support because the situation was continuing.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton wrote to prime minister Binali Yildiri on 3 October. He said: “As you may know, the ITF and its affiliates have backed our Turkish colleagues in the past when multinational companies such as UPS and DHL have unfairly dismissed their employees. From those experiences, we note that this recent action by MEDLOG bears the same resemblance of anti-union action. For example, the ITF believes that it is no coincidence that the mass dismissals started in conjunction with the union filing its application to the Ministry of Labour on 6 September for the certificate to bargain collectively with the company.
“It is even more worrying that the Office of State of Emergency of Bursa Governorship is not allowing genuine trade union activities at Gemlik, where MEDLOG has dismissed some workers. Whilst the ITF condemns the recent coup attempt in Turkey, it should not be used as an excuse to limit democratic opposition and workers’ rights.”
Mr Cotton warned that the ITF believed the dismissals to be in breach of fundamental ILO (International Labour Organization) trade union rights.
He urged Mr Yildiri “to advise the company to discuss the issues with the union and find peaceful solutions immediately”.
Nakliyat-İş told the ITF that the police had attacked trade unionists at MEDLOG locations, including at Gemlik, where they detained four trade unionists before later releasing them.
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