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30 January, 2001When the 400 workers at the Turkish auto parts company joined the trade union, management fired the entire workforce.
TURKEY: Birlesik Metal-Is, affiliated at international level to the International Metalworkers' Federation, reports that all 400 workers have lost their jobs at Ditas.
The company, set up in 1972 by Turkish workers who had retired from their jobs in Europe and returned to their country, produces parts for the automotive components industry. It is situated in the city of Niode, in Anatolia. In 1990, the company was bought by Dogan Holding.
From 1984 to 1992, Birlesik Metal-Is negotiated collective agreements with Ditas for its members. Although from 1992 to 2000 the new owner, Dogan Holding, would not allow Ditas workers to be organised in a trade union, Birlesik Metal-Is did organise the entire workforce of 400 in December 2000 and officially applied on December 18 to the Labour Ministry for its authorisation license.
The reaction of the company was immediate. On December 19, the entire workforce was fired, even though according to Turkish law such a move is illegal. Birlesik Metal-Is has started legal action against the company, and all 400 dismissed workers plus union representatives have been camped out in front of the Ditas plant since December 19.
The government of Turkey ratified ILO Convention No. 87 on the freedom of association and the right to organise in 1993, and Convention No. 98, on the right to organise and bargain collectively in 1952.
The company, set up in 1972 by Turkish workers who had retired from their jobs in Europe and returned to their country, produces parts for the automotive components industry. It is situated in the city of Niode, in Anatolia. In 1990, the company was bought by Dogan Holding.
From 1984 to 1992, Birlesik Metal-Is negotiated collective agreements with Ditas for its members. Although from 1992 to 2000 the new owner, Dogan Holding, would not allow Ditas workers to be organised in a trade union, Birlesik Metal-Is did organise the entire workforce of 400 in December 2000 and officially applied on December 18 to the Labour Ministry for its authorisation license.
The reaction of the company was immediate. On December 19, the entire workforce was fired, even though according to Turkish law such a move is illegal. Birlesik Metal-Is has started legal action against the company, and all 400 dismissed workers plus union representatives have been camped out in front of the Ditas plant since December 19.
The government of Turkey ratified ILO Convention No. 87 on the freedom of association and the right to organise in 1993, and Convention No. 98, on the right to organise and bargain collectively in 1952.