Successful campaign to organize subcontracted workers in Turkey

17 May 2016 11:20

The Turkish construction workers' union YOL-IS have led an intense campaign to organize the growing numbers of subcontracted road workers in the country. “YOL-IS campaign to terminate subcontracting in General Directorate of Highways has paid off, the union is now celebrating its victory to provide permanent employment for almost 10.000 subcontracted workers," said Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of the BWI after returning from a mission to Turkey the first week of May.

Ambet Yuson and Jasmin Redzepovic in a meeting with YOL-IS leaders and subcontracted workers in YOL-IS HQ in Ankara, Turkey

During the meeting, YOL-IS members gave their support to the BWI "Red Card for FIFA" campaign by showing red cards to FIFA.

The BWI delegation met with 60 subcontracted workers who are now members of YOL-IS as well as with other BWI affiliates in Turkey. The issue of a new amendments of the labour law to foster "flexible" and temporary employment forms and was also discussed in line with the possible future impacts of such implementations in the country.

The mission also went to participate in the opening of the forestry union TARIM ORMAN-IS' regional office in the city, Bolu. Additionally, the delegation went to sub-regional Forestry Directorate of Bolu Aladag to visit the forest area which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).