3 November, 2009Metalworkers around the world are called on to donate funds in support of 350 struggling Sinter Metal workers, fighting for reinstatement since December 2008.<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"> <input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="9372587"><input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/CH/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><img alt="" order="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"></form>
TURKEY: The situation is growing dire for some 350 Sinter Metal workers in Turkey who have been fighting for their reinstatement since December 2008 after being fired for joining the union, Birlesik Metal-IS, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation and European Metalworkers' Federation.
Workers have persevered in front of the company gates for almost a year. Unemployment insurance and healthcare benefits have run out as of June, and many families have been forced to sell handicrafts and small goods to survive.
Their fight is symbolic of many trade union struggles in Turkey where workers attempting to organise a union all too often face retaliation through unjust dismissals, abuse and violence. Birlesik Metal-IS has made the Sinter Metal case a priority as it is the largest industrial dispute in Turkey's massive Dudulu Organised Industrial Zone in the last 20 years. A victory at Sinter Metal will be a victory for all workers in Turkey.
The IMF and EMF have both made donations to this important and strategic fight. Our financial assistance will help keep the struggle alive and provide some relief for basic living costs to the 350 Birlesik Metal-IS members out of work since December. To provide union members and labour activists the opportunity to contribute to this effort, the IMF has set up a Pay Pal account on the IMF website to accept small donations online. For larger donations (over $200 USD) please send it directly to Birlesik Metal-IS as Pay Pal administers a service charge.
Birlesik Metal-IS bank details:
ACCOUNT HOLDER: Birlesik Metal-IS
SWIFT CODE: YAPITRIS - 072
IBAN NO: TR 48000 6701 000 00 00 60824151
BANK ADDRESS: Yapi Ve Kredi Bankasi A.S.
Bayar caddesi
Sehit Fatih Mehmet Ongul Sokak
No 1 Kadikoy, Instanbul, TURKEY
Since launching a joint solidarity campaign in March 2009, the IMF and EMF has repeatedly called on Sinter Metal to immediately reinstate unjustly dismissed workers, stop violations of basic labour rights, and start negotiations with the union.
Campaign information can be found at: www.imfmetal.org/SinterMetal.
