10 October, 2024Workers at As Plastik in Türkiye went on strike nearly a month ago as negotiations for new collective agreement failed after five months of discussions. According to IndustriALL affiliate Petrol-İş, in addition to refusing to accept the union's demands, the company has dismissed 17 employees for their involvement in union activities, violating both Turkish and international labour laws.
According to Petrol-İş, since the union gained the right to represent workers at As Plastik in 2022, the employer has been engaged in union busting. This case is yet another example of the ongoing challenges faced by workers in Türkiye, where union-busting and employer resistance to collective bargaining remain widespread. Turkish labour laws and ILO Conventions 87 and 98, both ratified by Türkiye, guarantee workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. But with a lack of enforcement, many wokers continue to face exploitation and unfair dismissals.
Faced with the employer's refusal to consider the union's demands, Petrol-İş' members at As Plastik went on strike at the end of September. The union's demands are clear; reinstate the illegally dismissed members, re-start collective bargaining negotiations and restore industrial peace in the factory.
In a letter to As Plastik, IndustriALL reinforces Petrol-İş' demands, and warns As Plastik that if it fails to address the violations, IndustriALL may urge the company's main clients to conduct due diligence on human and workers' rights.
Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie
"Dismissing the workers for exercising their legitimate right to join a union is unlawful and unacceptable. As Plastik must immediately reverse these dismissals and engage in good faith with the union to restore industrial peace."
