Haber Ara

HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan met ILO ACTRAV Head Andre to discuss informal domestic workers, Syrian migrants' labor rights, and new ILO-HAK-İŞ-GFTU projects.

Memur-Sen Women's Commission held its 3rd Turkey Meeting, where Chairman Ali Yalçın and Sıdıka Aydın highlighted women public servants' issues, the importance of family structure, and demands for the 8th Term Collective Bargaining.

TÜGİS (Turkish Food Industry Employers' Association) and Çalışma Hayatı Derneği (Working Life Association) have launched the EU and ILO-backed "Big Futures for Small Hands: Say No to Child Labor" project to combat child labor in Turkey. The project addresses the 720,000 child laborers in Turkey and global statistics, aiming to raise awareness and provide training for industry stakeholders.

KESK Co-Chair Ayfer Koçak made a strong statement in Gaziantep, demanding real collective bargaining with the right to strike, wages above the poverty line, secure employment, and a democratic working life for public employees.

TÜRKİYE KAMU-SEN held its High Consultation Board Meeting, led by Chairman Önder Kahveci, to outline its roadmap for the 8th Term Collective Bargaining. Key demands include additional raises, welfare share, 3600 additional indicator, and a new public personnel regime. The success of Türk Kültür Sanat-Sen was also celebrated.

Eğitim-Bir-Sen's field research with over 36,000 participants revealed that Turkey's "4+4+4" compulsory education system, particularly the high school phase, needs restructuring. Over 90% of teachers demand change, with "2+2" and "3+1" models emerging as preferred alternatives.

The May 21, 2025 issue of the Official Gazette has been published. It includes new international agreements with Venezuela and Azerbaijan, fund transfers to the Maarif Foundation, Privatization decisions, and amendments to academic staff norms and occupational health and safety regulations, among many other important provisions.

The 2025 Public Sector Collective Bargaining Framework Protocol was signed on August 2, 2025, bringing historic wage increases and improved social rights for over 600,000 public workers in Turkey. The agreement, signed by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, HAK-İŞ, and TÜRK-İŞ, includes new base wages, phased increments, bonus adjustments, and legislative commitments for various worker groups.

Turkey's unemployment rate fell to 8.4% in May 2025, according to Minister Vedat Işıkhan. Employment rose to 32.519 million, and youth unemployment also saw a decrease, reflecting the positive impact of investment and production-oriented growth strategies.

Türkiye Kamu-Sen announced its demands for the 8th Collective Bargaining Agreement, requesting 40,657 TL for the lowest civil servant salary and 47,481 TL for the average salary, along with comprehensive demands like welfare share, job security, holiday bonuses, and improved social rights.

HAK-İŞ and the General Federation of Trade Unions of Syria signed a cooperation agreement in Ankara, discussing joint projects, the situation of Syrian refugees, and issuing a strong joint condemnation of Israeli attacks.

HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan announced action decisions in response to insufficient offers in the KÇP process during the Women's Committee meeting in Ordu. Arslan stressed Turkey's capacity to meet demands, while Fatma Zengin shared successes in organizing female domestic workers.

Memur-Sen's Commission for Persons with Disabilities held a program with Minister Vedat Işıkhan to address challenges faced by disabled public employees, advocating for an inclusive work environment and presenting solution-oriented proposals.

KESK sharply criticized the current CBA system ahead of the 8th Term negotiations, stating the Arbitration Board is biased. Co-Chair Ayfer Koçak called for a united struggle of public employees for a living wage and strike rights.

The Birleşik Metal-İş Union, in its commemorative message on the 10th anniversary of the Suruç Massacre, remembered the 33 young people who lost their lives and called for "justice for Suruç, justice for everyone."

Memur-Sen held its 42nd Provincial Representatives Meeting, gathering delegates from 81 provinces, to prepare for the 8th Term Collective Bargaining Agreement. The meeting focused on field expectations, service branch proposals, and the demands of women, disabled, and retired public employees.

TES-İŞ Union successfully concluded collective bargaining negotiations with OEDAŞ (Osman Gazi Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş.). The new agreement preserves and enhances existing rights while securing significant new gains for its members.

Memur-Sen President Ali Yalçın met Minister Vedat Işıkhan at OHS Week in Kayseri. Yalçın emphasized the importance of safe working environments, stating that the collective effort and struggle for OHS will continue.

Türk Metal Union held its 2nd Grand Congress for Young Workers in Ankara with great enthusiasm. The summit, attended by General Chairman Uysal Altundağ and Minister Vedat Işıkhan, addressed the role of youth in union strengthening, global challenges, and the future of labor struggles.

Petrol-İş Union participated in the IndustriALL Global Union Executive Committee Meeting in Geneva, discussing global worker rights, industry's future, and solidarity. A strong presence for Turkey's labor movement.

Türk Metal Union Biga 1st Branch held its 5th Ordinary General Assembly on July 26, 2025, with Deputy Chairman Yusuf Ziya Odabaş emphasizing the critical importance of organizing for job security and a better future. New leadership was elected.

KESK Co-President Ayfer Koçak addressed the UNISON annual conference in England, speaking on Turkey and Middle East labor issues, including KHK dismissals, the upcoming CBA process, and pressures/trustee appointments on municipalities.

CHP Leader Özgür Özel visited HAK-İŞ and TÜRK-İŞ, calling for a mid-year minimum wage increase in July and urgent finalization of the KÇP. Union heads echoed expectations from the government.

UAMİF's 59th Central Committee, led by Uysal Altundağ, convened in Ankara. The summit, attended by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, addressed global economic challenges, emphasized peace, and highlighted worker solidarity.