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14 June, 2000A resolution has been adopted with regard to Turkey's infringement of the shipyard workers' right to freedom of association.
TURKEY: At the ILO's tripartite 88th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), meeting in Geneva, the Workers' Group has adopted a resolution regarding the attack on trade union rights for shipbuilding workers in Turkey.
In the resolution, the Workers' Group says that the decision of the Turkish government to transfer the Pendik and Alaybey shipyards to the national defence sector, which is part of the public service sector, denies those working in these two shipyards the right to belong to the trade union of their choice -- Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is. This, says the Group, "constitutes a blatant infringement of their right to freedom of association."
The Workers' Group expressed its solidarity and support for the membership and officials of Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is and to the trade union confederation, Türk-Is, in their struggle to defend trade union rights and condemned the further attack by the government in issuing dismissal notices to 1,200 members of Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is who work at the Haliç and Camialti shipyards. In the present situation, the continued existence of the union is threatened.
The resolution rejects the decision of the Turkish judge, Abdülvahap Suna, to dismiss the union's claim to represent its members, supports the union in its decision to file an appeal, as well as the request by the International Metalworkers' Federation, Türk-Is and Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is for solidarity support and action from the trade union movement.
Finally, the Workers' Group "calls on the ILO to use its good offices to protect trade union rights in Turkey, and in particular the rights of Turkish shipyard workers, and seek to persuade the Turkish authorities to rescind all laws which are contrary to, and adopt employment legislation which is in keeping with, internationally accepted principles, reflecting the commitment given by the Turkish government when it ratified ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98."
In the resolution, the Workers' Group says that the decision of the Turkish government to transfer the Pendik and Alaybey shipyards to the national defence sector, which is part of the public service sector, denies those working in these two shipyards the right to belong to the trade union of their choice -- Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is. This, says the Group, "constitutes a blatant infringement of their right to freedom of association."
The Workers' Group expressed its solidarity and support for the membership and officials of Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is and to the trade union confederation, Türk-Is, in their struggle to defend trade union rights and condemned the further attack by the government in issuing dismissal notices to 1,200 members of Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is who work at the Haliç and Camialti shipyards. In the present situation, the continued existence of the union is threatened.
The resolution rejects the decision of the Turkish judge, Abdülvahap Suna, to dismiss the union's claim to represent its members, supports the union in its decision to file an appeal, as well as the request by the International Metalworkers' Federation, Türk-Is and Türkiye Dok, Gemi-Is for solidarity support and action from the trade union movement.
Finally, the Workers' Group "calls on the ILO to use its good offices to protect trade union rights in Turkey, and in particular the rights of Turkish shipyard workers, and seek to persuade the Turkish authorities to rescind all laws which are contrary to, and adopt employment legislation which is in keeping with, internationally accepted principles, reflecting the commitment given by the Turkish government when it ratified ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98."