What's Being Done On . . . Promoting Labor Rights ?
Turkey
Background to Labor Rights in Turkey:
Although Turkish law respects the right of citizens and foreign workers to unionize, associating in labor unions is difficult because it is only partially allowed by the law. Individuals must have their application to join and leave a union notarized and recorded by a lawyer, which imposes a costly hindrance to many workers. Labor groups must use the Turkish language for official activities, a potential barrier to non Turkish speakers. Additionally, unions must register with the authorities and allow police attendance at meetings and rallies.
Turkish workers have limited ability to bargain collectively and to strike. The International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICFTU) estimates that only about 14 percent of workers' contracts derived from collective bargaining. While many strikes and slowdowns do occur in Turkey, they are prohibited in many sectors and workers can face severe penalties for strike related activities.
Consideration for Turkey's membership in the European Union (EU), which has generally been applauded by democracy groups for its impact on liberalizing Turkish society, has had some negative consequences for workers. The ICFTU and many others claim that privatization, a major criterion required by the EU to qualify for membership, has led to job losses. Private corporations have also been more likely to oppose union activity and dismiss workers for organizing.
We would like to thank Tonguc Coban, adviser and director of international relations, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DISK), who agreed to respond to interview questions as follows:
1. How would you best define the relationship between workers rights and democracy?
Democracy is the system where all sections of society can express and represent themselves. In a developed democracy, the representation of underprivileged groups such as workers is important. People from different ethnic, sexual, and religious origins share common values and demands in labor movements. For this reason, worker rights are necessary to express feelings and demands of this large social group, which is crucial for democracy.
The relationship between workers' rights and democracy is complementary; if workers have rights, democracy can prosper and be consolidated. In countries where labor rights are often violated, the basic principles of democracy are also violated, thus hurting civil society groups.
2. What are the most successful strategies and tactics that DISK uses to promote labor rights? Are there particular contexts in which some of these tactics (such as civil disobedience, public protest, letter writing campaigns, etc.) are more successful than others?
The main instruments that DISK uses to publicize labor rights are demonstrations, press releases, and reports. Unless labor rights are legitimized by the public, it is difficult to influence politicians to create more favorable legislation. International solidarity , especially in response to Multinational Corporations, is a new tactic that is really important. All of our actions rely on the powerful organization of workers.
3. How has the DISK's role in the labor movement evolved with the changing political environment?
All governments in Turkey have implemented neo-liberal policies, which the new Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has continued. DISK struggles against neo-liberal policies because while these policies may improve individual rights, they weaken social rights. The current impact of this policy can be seen in social security, health care, education and labor law.
4. In your opinion, what are the greatest current challenges that the labor movement faces in Turkey?
- The Turkish government is trying to privatize the health care system.
- Weakening working conditions of public employees.
- Increase in dangerous work.
- Unemployment is a serious problem in Turkey.
- The right to freely organize, to collectively bargain, to strike, and to exercise many other important labor rights are not respected in accordance to ILO standards.
5. Can you provide insight to some of the common mistakes that are made in labor movements?
The labor movement cannot adjust itself to the new working conditions and the neo-liberal offensive unless it changes its means of organizing, its organization structure, and its pro-active methods. Traditional labor movements are not so successful in this context. A lot of labor movements still try to survive as they did in the Fordist period. Adjusting to the new political environment is a great challenge.
6. How can the international community work together to improve labor rights?
In order to build a real international labor movement:
- a powerful intervention is necessary with regard to international capital organizations;
- the policies of Multinational Corporations must be redressed through international action and campaigns;
- workers must be able to bargain collectively and on an international level;
- international solidarity among laborers must be improved.
Contact Information:
The DISK website can be found at http://www.disk.org.tr. This site includes an English page http://www.disk.org.tr/english.asp, which contains information about DISK's mission and objectives. Tonguc Coban can be reached at disk-f@tr.net.
About "What's Being Done On . . . "
For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9889.
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