The
ITUC [International Trade Union Confederation ]and ETUC [European
Trade Union Confederation] have strongly criticised European employer
federations for blocking the circulation of an open letter from the
two trade union organisations to government and employer delegates
attending the 10th ILO [International Labour Organization] Regional
Meeting in Istanbul this week.
The letter
explains the reasons why trade union organisations from across the
region have refused to attend the meeting, including the aggressive
suppression of workers’ rights and other fundamental freedoms by
the government of Turkey’s President Erdogan.
“The
situation in Turkey makes it impossible for some union
representatives to speak freely, and attending this meeting would
have given legitimacy to a government that has sacked more than
100,000 workers without due cause, suppressed fundamental democratic
rights including freedom of speech, and imprisoned some 150
journalists. Many Turkish companies have been closed down by the
government, and yet employer delegates in Istanbul have chosen to try
to stop our letter being circulated rather than to stand up for
fundamental freedoms,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan
Burrow.
“While
the Turkish government imprisons journalists and attacks workers,
trade unions and even companies, European employers are stopping
trade unions explaining why they refuse to attend the ILO meeting in
Turkey,” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini. “Trade
unions will not be silenced about violations of basic rights, and
will continue to demand justice in Turkey. That is why we cannot be
present at the ILO meeting in Turkey, and employers should be with us
in standing up for European values.”
The
letter here:
Related:
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