Memur-Sen Represents Turkey on the Global Labor Stage at the 113th ILO International Labour Conference

GENEVA/SWITZERLAND – Memur-Sen, one of Turkey's largest labor confederations, participated with a strong delegation in the 113th International Labour Conference organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. The delegation, led by Memur-Sen General President Ali Yalçın and Vice President Hamza Öksüz, marked significant agenda items of the global labor movement through intensive diplomatic contacts and strategic meetings conducted throughout the conference.

International Trade Union Diplomacy Offensive: Memur-Sen's Intensive Contact Traffic

From the very first days of the conference, the Memur-Sen delegation, an active part of international trade union diplomacy, held extensive bilateral meetings with leading labor organizations from Asian, African, and Arab geographies. In these strategic discussions with confederations from numerous countries, including SEWOFT from Thailand, SOCOTU from Somalia, MTUC from Maldives, K-SARBUMUSI from Indonesia, BMS and NFITU from India, GFIW from Iraq, PGFTU from Palestine, and the National Labor Committee of Saudi Arabia, common areas of struggle and future collaborations were deliberated.

General President Ali Yalçın emphasized in these meetings that Memur-Sen, as Turkey's largest labor confederation, is an active part of the international trade union movement. Yalçın expressed their goals of disseminating a trade union understanding based on justice, solidarity, and human dignity on a global scale, and highlighted the importance of negotiations to create a basis for concrete cooperation areas and long-term partnerships. In bilateral meetings, structural issues such as strengthening freedom of association, guaranteeing the right to fair and livable wages, developing trade union capacity, and devising common strategies against the impact of digitalization on labor markets were particularly discussed.

Memur-Sen's Global Reference Actor Identity Solidifies

Memur-Sen's proactive initiatives, such as international congresses, field solidarity programs, and humanitarian aid to crisis regions, demonstrated that the confederation has developed a trade union approach that assumes responsibility not only for Turkey but also for the global labor community. The confederation's "principled, pluralistic, and entrepreneurial trade union approach" was met with satisfaction and appreciation by its counterparts. Mutual visit requests to Turkey from confederations of different countries, proposals for training collaborations, and joint events became concrete indicators that Memur-Sen has now become a reference actor not only nationally but also globally.

Minister Işıkhan Emphasizes Turkey's Contribution to ILO

On the second day of the conference, the Memur-Sen delegation attended a reception hosted by Ambassador Burak Akçapar, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to the UN Office in Geneva. Here, they also met with the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, for consultations. Speaking at the general assembly on the third day of the conference, Minister Işıkhan stated that Turkey has ratified all core ILO conventions and continuously develops its national labor legislation. Emphasizing their commitment to the principle of "decent work," Işıkhan expressed that Turkey contributes significantly to international initiatives and is a strong actor for global social justice.

Minister Işıkhan reiterated Turkey's firm stance on Palestine, stating that they support the realization of a two-state solution and welcomed the decision for Palestine's participation in ILO meetings with observer status.

Following the program, General President Ali Yalçın and Hamza Öksüz spoke at a meeting organized with ILC (International Labour Confederation) components, expressing their views on strengthening the labor sector in the international arena, improving the living standards of labor and workers, and advocating for the adoption of freedom of association worldwide.

Palestine Granted Observer State Status and Biological Hazards Convention Adopted

One of the most significant developments of the 113th ILO International Labour Conference was Palestine's diplomatic victory. Memur-Sen Vice President and ILC General Secretary Hamza Öksüz, along with his accompanying delegation, attended the Palestine Meeting organized by the Arab Labour Organization (ALO). During this session, they met with Palestine's Minister of Labor, Dr. Enas Hosni Abdel Ghani, and ALO Director-General Fayez Almutairi. Öksüz firmly stated that Memur-Sen and ILC stand with Palestine in these discussions. Following this critical session, the ILO adopted a historic decision officially granting Palestine observer state status.

Other decisions taken by the ILO as a result of the conference, which are important for Memur-Sen, are as follows:

• Convention No. 192 on Biological Hazards in the Working Environment and Recommendation No. 209 on Biological Hazards in the Working Environment were adopted. These regulations are of great importance for raising global standards in occupational health and safety.
• The official granting of observer state status to Palestine was recorded as a concrete demonstration of support for the Palestinian cause in the international arena.

Memur-Sen's active role in the 113th ILO International Labour Conference once again showcased Turkey's effectiveness in the global labor movement and its pursuit of contributing to international social justice.