(26 October 2009) Professor for Energy Policy Steve Thomas of the University of Greenwich and PSIRU explained the implications of competition in electricity. He introduced the European Union Directives on opening the electricity and gas markets that would be implemented also in Turkey when it becomes member of the Energy Community (see www.epsu.org/r/239) .
EPSU’s Deputy General Secretary underlined the consequences for workers and users, while Prof. Thomas highlighted that the internal market for electricity had triggered a concentration process of power in the hands of a very few companies. The internal market poses serious challenges to the unions, the employers and the government which have to deal with restructuring. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Social Aspects of the Energy Community provides the unions strategic options as it highlights the importance of the ILO conventions, fundamental trade union rights and social dialogue.
Dorota Dlouchy representing DG Employment of the European Commission introduced the European social model, social acquis and the European social dialogue. Participants noted the critical remarks on the trade union rights situation made by the European Commission in its recent progress report on membership of Turkey in the European Union. The theme of the social dialogue was developed further by Bernd Frieg who highlighted the practicalities and results of the European sectoral social dialogue in the gas and electricity sector such as the joint toolkit on restructuring.
EMCEF’s Peter Kerckhofs explained the social dialogue at company level through the European Works Councils and EPSU’s Jan Willem Goudriaan explained the recent development on transnatonal agreements and the discussion in EPSU.
Richard Pond, EPSU collective bargaining officer completed the picture by an overview of collective bargaining practices in Europe and the work EPSU does through the EPSUCOB@ network.
Other issues considered included:
The lack of respect for trade union rights by the Turkish government. Despite repeated convictions by the ILO (international labour organization) Turkey has still not implemented changes in its labour law that allow freedom of collective bargaining for public service workers. Workers that wish to become a member of a union face numerous hurdles as do the trade unions that seek to organize workers in a work place.
Public procurement and public contracts: While Turkey seeks to orientate its law towards European and OECD standards, there are many problems when municipalities award contracts. The award process is often not transparent. The unions are also concerned that contracts are awarded to companies in the informal economy which often do not pay taxes and social security contributions. Combined with the compulsive competitive tendering in the sector, the stringent and unfair labour laws leads to a situation in which it is hard to organize the workers and many workers go unprotected and are exploited by their employers. The union leaders reported excessive working hours, below minimum wages and intimidation.
Fuel mix of Turkey The Turkish government has plans to introduce nuclear power. The pros and cons were discussed, including the lack of an existing basis of skilled staff. Reference was made to the critical remarks of the International Energy Agency in its 2005 review of Turkish energy policy. It does not consider developing this energy source opportune for Turkey.
Dismissed workers EPSU’s Richard Pond and the Deputy General Secretary also visited the workers which have been dismissed by the mayor of an Izmir municipality. The workers had started a 650 km march to Ankara and were now camping in a park to draw attention to their situation (read more). They paid tribute to their courage and determination .
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