Prime Minister Erdoğan Meets with Union Confederation

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to a meeting with the Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions (Türk-İş) at 6.00 pm on 28 January to discuss the situation of the Tekel workers.

As reported by Türk-İş to bianet, the Prime Minister invited confederation president Mustafa Kumlu to his Private Office.

Meeting of the unions

Six confederations* had given an ultimatum to the government until 5.00 pm on 26 January to react to the demands of the Tekel workers. After the deadline had elapsed, they met to discuss further proceedings.

TEKEL workers expect general strike

The resistance of the Tekel workers from the recently closed down Tekel leaf tobacco factory in Ankara is going on for 44 days now. The workers intend to protect their employee personal rights and require a transfer to other public enterprises.

The government however wants to transfer the workers to other public enterprises under the so-called 4C regulation by 31 January. This would mean lower wages and a lack of job security and union rights. As a result of the Tekel workers' resistance, the government did not amend the regulation on its merits but agreed to minor improvements only.

bianet talked to Tekel workers who said that they would not stop their resistance until their rights will be acknowledged. They emphasized that in case the government does not take measures accordingly, they expect the decision for a general strike or another kind of general action from the union confederations.

Meanwhile, Türk-İş president Kumlu declared that a "general action" is planned for 3 February in case the Prime Minister does not make any concessions in the meeting on Thursday. (TK)

* Türk-İş: Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions, Hak-İş: Hak Workers Union Confederation; DİSK: Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions; MEMUR-SEN: Civil Servant Unions Confederation; KAMU-SEN: Public Workers Unions Confederation of Turkey; KESK: Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees.