(20 December) KESK, the Turkish public sector confederation of several EPSU affiliates will join with Turkish trade unionists and activists, from around the country, tomorrow 21st December, in walking from Istanbul to Ankara (450km), as part of a national protest against the Turkish government’s emergency laws. The statutory emergency decrees have been in place since the failed coup-attempt in July. The emergency measures have led to tens of thousands of public employees being dismissed or suspended, with no legal redress. The protest demands that workers be reinstated . More than 2000 of those sacked are members of affiliates of the trade confederation KESK.
The Turkish national protest is marching under the banner; ‘I Want My Job and My Bread’ is being supported by trade unions and activists around the world. EPSU and its affiliates are engaged in solidarity actions in support of their Turkish comrades.
EPSU’s General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan speaking in support of the actions said: ‘It is outrageous that so many thousands of public sector employees have been sacked, and with no possibilities to appeal. Today we join with colleagues to raise our voices in demanding that our dismissed friends and colleagues are reinstated. We also call for an end to the state of emergency and its statutory decrees. It has led to unlawful practices and violation of workers’ and trade union rights. We wish colleagues well as they undertake this 450 km protest march’.
More on the solidarity support you can offer in support of the Turkish protests.
Those engaging in support of Turkish workers are asked to please use the hashtag #21AralıkEmekçiYürüyüşü and tag your social media protest actions @KESK1995, @diskinseni and @ITUC. Protests are expected to continue throughout the day.
For more information on EPSU’s positions regarding events in Turkey and from ETUC
Türkiye
- Log in to post comments
