8 August, 2008Union members fired and interrogated for organising activities, company refuses to recognize registration of Birleşik Metal-Is.
TURKEY: Workers at Denco Hassas Kontrollu Klima Sist. End. Ve Tic. Aş in Istanbul voted for union representation in March 2008 and since that time the company has refused to honour the workers' decision, has fired union organizers and intimidated union members.
Soon after Birleşik Metal-Is, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation, organized an overwhelming majority of workers at the Denco plant, the company fired one of the lead organizers, Musa Alacam. On April 25, 2008, another 7 members of the union were sacked, and one new worker.
The company has refused to recognize Birleşik Metal-Is as the official bargaining representative for workers, despite a Labour Ministry's decision to grant union recognition. The case is currently pending in the courts.
Denco's actions are in violation of international labour standards, specifically the International Labour Organisations' Conventions no. 87 and no. 98, to which Turkey is a signatory.
The IMF is calling on the company to immediately and unconditionally reinstate all workers unjustly dismissed, cease and desist from interrogating and harassing union members, and respect internationally recognized workers' rights, particularly the right to join and form unions and the right to collectively bargain.