EU Commissioner Olli Rehn:
Trade union rights play an important role
in EU enlargement negotiations
Helsinki (23.10.2006 - Juhani Artto) Concerning trade union
rights, on 3 October, Turkey received a strong message delivered by Olli Rehn, the Finnish
European Commissioner, who is responsible for enlargement.
He spoke in Ankara, at the symposium ‘The European social model and trade union
rights within the EU negotiations’. The symposium was organised by the Turkish union
confederation Türk-Iş and its Finnish sister organisation SAK.
Rehn’s message was as follows:
”Turkey needs to
ensure that full Trade Union rights are respected in line with EU standards and ILO
Conventions, in particular as regards the right to organise, the right to strike and the
right to bargain collectively. To this effect, Turkey needs to eliminate existing
restrictions and adopt a fully revised legislation in this area for both private and
public sectors.”
”Unfortunately, no progress has been made by Turkey on the trade union rights
recently. Therefore, one of my main messages to my Turkish interlocutors today and
tomorrow will be that we expect the Government to redress this and present a legislative
initiative shortly, once the ongoing consultation with social partners has been duly
completed.” |
Ten days later, in Helsinki, Rehn reiterated to the
Trade Union News from Finland, that trade union rights play an important role in the
EU’s enlargement negotiations. "Trade union rights are among the most central
rights that Turkey has committed to respect, in its agreement with the EU."
Trade union rights are on the same list regarding Turkey’s commitments as freedom of
expression, human rights, women’s rights, minorities’ rights and the right to
practice one’s own religion, Rehn explained.
In Rehn’s opinion, the Ankara symposium was a success. It represented well the kind
of social dialogue Turkey needs. "One of the premises for a successful accession is a
broad societal consensus on European goals", he outlined in his speech in Ankara.
During the symposium Murat Başesgioĝlu, Turkey’s minister of labour and social
security, made it clear that Turkey is committed to the ILO’s regulations and is
genuinely trying to harmonise its legislation with EU demands. The government also
supports trade union activity and considers it to have a positive impact on democracy.
Salih Kiliç, the President of Türk-Iş, urged the EU to pay more attention to the
problems the trade union movement faces in Turkey. He reminded everyone that in the
materialisation of labour rights there are many serious shortcomings. According to
Türk-Iş, last year alone about 20,000 rank and file members of the unions were sacked for
their union activity. Türk-Is supports Turkey’s accession to the EU.
Lauri Ihalainen, the President of the SAK, emphasised the importance for Turkey, in
respect of strengthening and safeguarding trade union rights. According to Ihalainen, the
EU cannot make progress without the trust of its citizens and without active social
organisations.
The symposium was widely covered by the Turkish media.
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