Global solidarity action Turkey
21 Dec 2016
During the 8th ITUC Human and Trade Union Rights Committee meeting, which was held on 28th November 2016 in Vienna, trade union representatives from Turkey reported on the current alarming situation of trade union rights, human rights and democracy in Turkey. During a consecutive planning meeting, the ‘friends of’ Turkey called on the ITUC to organise a global action to protest against the current situation, to raise awareness about arbitrarily dismissed trade union members and to call for their reinstatement.
The global action is to coincide with a national “I Want My Job and My Bread!” rally in Turkey. On 21 December, national unions and activists are attempting to walk from Istanbul to Ankara (a 450 km road) with the participation of dismissed trade union members and Executive Board members of the confederations and affiliated trade unions.
On the day that Turkish Police brutally cracked down on the KESK march with tear gas, Congress has written to Turkish Prime Minister, requesting the reinstatement of dismissed workers to the Turkish Prime Minister.
Please take a picture in your union with the banner and hashtag #21AralıkEmekçiYürüyüşü and post on your website or social media accounts tagging @KESK1995 and @diskinsesi and @ituc to express solidarity with those who will participate in the march.
Workers will hold a demonstration this evening and will try again to set out for a 450 KM march tomorrow morning.
Your solidarity is needed more than ever. Please continue to send social media messages to @KESK1995 and to send protest letters to the Prime Minister/President.
See video of the crackdown here