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Solidarity with Turkey

Trade union rights and civil liberties have significantly deteriorated in Turkey since the attempted coup of 15 and 16 July 2016. Under the state of emergency, the Turkish government has arrested and detained thousands of workers and trade unionists. By 8 February 2017, more than 100,000 public employees have been summarily suspended or dismissed, accused in most cases without any basis of proof or evidence of having been involved in the attempted military coup. This situation continues until today. #Turkey

EPSU/PSI demands respect for the right to expression, right to demonstrate and the right to strike action in Turkey

05 June 2013
Taksim square, Istanbul

EPSU/PSI has expressed its concerns to the Turkish government over the reports of police violence and arrests of opponents of the government. People have the right to express their concerns and engage in protests and industrial action against government policy they disagree with. ITUC and others have launched a campaign to protest against the police brutality.

Turkey: trade Union expert İsmet Aslan released from prison

22 May 2013
Ismet Aslan

In Istanbul, trade union expert İsmet Aslan and 14 other suspects were released on 30 April after 16 months in pre-trial custody. This follows the release of 22 KESK members from prison in Ankara on 10 April, after facing baseless terrorism charges and spending 10 months in prison. Those released included members of Public Services International affiliates representing workers in the public sector as well as members of the teachers’ union Eğitim-Sen.

Turkey lifts travel bans on women trade unionists facing charges

30 April 2013
Güler Elveren, Bedriye Yorgun and  Güldane Erdogan

Fifteen women trade unionists from the independent confederation of public service unions, KESK, were in court on 18 April 2013. During the short hearing, the judges lifted the foreign travel ban; previously a condition of their bail.

Turkish trade unionists out of prison

18 April 2013
Rally outside Adliye Criminal Court, Ankara 10.04.13

A first hearing results in bail for members of PSI affiliated unions. Twenty-two KESK Turkish trade unionists facing baseless terrorism charges were freed on bail on 10 April 2013 after spending 10 months in prison. Those released included members of Public Services International affiliates representing workers in the public sector as well as members of the teachers’ union Eğitim-Sen.

Turkey: workers protest over illegal procurement practices

30 January 2013
Large demonstration in Turkey

The Turkish Union of Road, Construction and Building Workers (YOL-İŞ), a PSI affiliate, organised an action on 28 January in protest at the non-execution of the decision taken by the Supreme Court of Appeal which proved that “service procurement agreements between the General Directorate of Highways and sub-contracting companies are fictitious”.

Turkish authorities target trade unions

17 July 2012
Turkish trade union demonstrators holding a flag

Early on the morning of 25 June, trade union activists were targeted in a police operation which swept through 18 Turkish cities. All those who were questioned, arrested or had their houses searched are members of unions affiliated to the Confederation of Public Sector Unions (KESK), one of the country’s main trade union confederations. Those arrested included general secretaries and presidents of affiliated unions, as well as lay officials.

PSI sends protest letter to the Turkish Prime Minister

22 June 2012
Turkish flag

15 trade unionists in Turkey were arrested in February. Nine of them are still in prison. Now PSI sends protest letter to the Turkish Prime Minister.