Turkey: Metal workers sacked for union membership

A workers' struggle for their jobs and rights at Sinter Metal Đmalat Sanayi AŞ (located in the Dudullu Organized Industrial Zone, Turkey) has gone on for more than 6 months. An overwhelming majority of the 470 workers are members of Birlesik Metal-IS trade union. In December 2008, the company fired 350 workers including union leaders, not due to the economic crisis as the employer attempted to claim,

but due to their union membership, as confirmed in a Labour Ministry finding. The IMF, EMF and unions demand that the company immediately reinstates the dismissed workers, stops violations of workers' rights, and in good faith considers the workers’ demands and promptly starts negotiations to reach a fair and just settlement.