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15 May, 2007
The ICEM Executive Committee, meeting in Brussels on 10 and 11 May 2007, deplored the fact that the strike by 82 women workers at Novamed in Antalya, Turkey, is continuing without settlement since September 2006.
In 2007 we can no longer permit practices such as employers granting permission to women to become pregnant and other measures to limit women’s rights to maternity and family. These practices no longer belong in the 21st century.
Maternity is a social responsibility. Women may not be penalized by meeting their obligations as mothers. On the contrary, society must acknowledge women’s roles as mothers and workers and provide the conditions for them to perform these roles.
The practice of restricting women’s maternity rights is against ILO Conventions and EU directives and does not suit a country applying for membership in the European Union.
ICEM urges the company to respect its obligations toward international and European law.
ICEM on behalf of 20 million members worldwide expresses its wholehearted solidarity and support to the strikers at Novamed and Petrol-Is.
ICEM Executive Committee
Brussels, 10 May 2007