Haber Ara

UNI Europa, the European arm of UNI Global Union, of which Sosyal-İş Union is a member, issued a significant solidarity message for the democracy struggle, student and public movements, and workers' rights in Turkey at the 6th European Conference held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from March 25-27.

A group of over 600 workers, including 150 from Turkey, working for the Baytur company in Saudi Arabia, are on strike after not receiving their wages for 10 months. They have been on strike for 60 days, demanding payment and their right to return home.

On May 1, Memur-Sen organized a major event at Ankara Anıtpark! The union, advocating for workers’ rights and the protection of labor, called for reforms in Law No. 4688. Fair distribution, union rights, and international solidarity were emphasized!

In Türkiye, labor unions and civil servant confederations are actively intensifying their preparations for large-scale gatherings and demonstrations set to take place in multiple cities across the country as part of the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations, emphasizing workers' rights, social justice, and economic fairness.

İnşaat-İş and Yapı-Yol İş Unions secured a major victory at the Referans Pendik site, ensuring all member rights were fully paid. Union organization's power successfully safeguarded worker entitlements in construction.

TÜRK-İŞ decided to boycott the 2026 Minimum Wage Commission until its structure is reformed, citing undemocratic processes. The Executive Board also demanded immediate tax justice, resolution for KHK/EYT workers' rights, and opposed the Complementary Retirement System (TES).

DİSK/Dev Sağlık-İş Union launched a 3-day march from Istanbul's Taksim to Ankara for health and social service workers' rights. DİSK General President Arzu Çerkezoğlu called for income justice, tax justice, and humane living conditions.

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.

Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation General President Orhan Yıldırım addressed the "Budget Rights for Retirees and Workers" rally in Ankara's Tandoğan Square, criticizing the government's economic policies. Yıldırım declared that the source of poverty is the "Internal Force" (the 23-year ruling party), not external factors.

Petrol-İş Union commemorated the 55th anniversary of the June 15-16, 1970 Resistance, a historic labor uprising in Turkey against union restrictions, remembering fallen members like Yaşar Yıldırım and emphasizing the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and democracy.

Birleşik Metal-İş General President Özkan Atar vows to lead 160,000 metal workers against economic attacks, strike bans, and pro-capital policies. Atar called for continued struggle and solidarity for workers' rights.

DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu to speak at ITUC Global Rights Index launch, addressing Turkey's persistent "blacklist" status for union hostility, collective bargaining obstacles, and imprisoned trade unionists in 2025.

Koop-İş Union strongly protested Dyson's attempts to block unionization and collective bargaining rights for its members in Turkey, citing an ongoing "meaningless" legal objection. Backed by TÜRK-İŞ and UNI Global Union, Koop-İş demands Dyson end the illegality and sit at the negotiating table for a collective bargaining agreement.

DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB announced in a joint statement in Beşiktaş that they have decided to organize the 2025 May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day under the slogan “We Will Win”, with massive and enthusiastic events across Turkey.

HAK-İŞ and Hizmet-İş Union signed a National Occupational Standard Protocol with MYK for domestic workers in Turkey. This historic agreement aims to combat informal employment, ensure dignified working conditions, and boost unionization among the country's domestic helpers.

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.

Hak-İş Deputy Chairman Halil Çukutli attended the OATUU Executive Board meeting in Tanzania, where he emphasized international trade union solidarity, called for unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza, and expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation with Africa.

Birleşik Kamu-İş and Eğitim-İş Union held a press conference in front of the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) to announce their demands for the 8th Term Collective Bargaining. The Confederation warned the government, stating, "The 8th Term will be what the workers say!", vowing to continue the fight for education employees' rights.

A Türk Metal Union delegation visited Uzbekistan for the Friendship Festival and held extensive consultations with local unions, strengthening cooperation and showcasing Turkish culture through the ORHOT folk dance group.

YOL-İŞ President Ramazan Ağar attended the 9th FGS Familia Congress in Romania. He emphasized the importance of defending construction workers' rights and stressed that the bond between the two unions is based on a joint struggle against global capital under the BWI and the historical Turkey-Romania friendship.

Türk Metal Union Istanbul Branch No. 1 held its 6th Ordinary General Assembly with President Uysal Altundağ, discussing organizational successes, economic challenges, and upcoming collective bargaining, emphasizing unity for workers' rights and a high standard of living.

HAK-İŞ attended the CNTS 12th Confederal Congress in Senegal. The congress focused on "Decent Work and Labor Migration." HAK-İŞ representative Fatma Zengin delivered messages of international solidarity.

The 4th meeting of the Türk Metal-MESS 2025-2027 Group Collective Agreement was held. Seven articles were accepted, but MESS presented critical counter-proposals, including extending equalization to 4 months, abolishing nursing leave, and extending the probationary period to 4 months.

HAK-İŞ Deputy General Secretary Fatma Zengin strengthened international union cooperation by attending the 27th Ordinary Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan. Zengin met with FPRK President Dauletalin, conveying a message of solidarity.