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On 17 November 2008, UNI-Europa delegation composed of Metin Tiryakioglu (President of Basisen), Emre Kocqoglu (Basisen), Dr Engin Ünsal (Expert), Erwin De Deyn (President, BBTK-SETCa ), Nicola Konstantinou and Sabrina De Marchi (UNI-Europa), met Mr Olli Rehn, Commissioner for enlargement to urge the European union to raise the issue of labour rights in the ongoing negotiations over Turkey’s application.



UNI-Europa delegation underlined that despite the efforts made by the Turkish government, the existing legal framework has still serious impediments to individual liberty, trade union rights and freedom and to social policy in general. The delegation called the Commissioner to urge the Turkish government to bring their labour laws up to standards laid down by the EU’s Charter of fundamental rights and the International Labour Organisation.



Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the initiative of UNI-Europa together with its Turkish affiliates and assured the delegation that these considerations are an important matter, which is taken into consideration within the ongoing negotiations with Turkey.



The Turkish affiliates from Basisen concluded the meeting by launching an appeal to the Commission to organize a tripartite meeting on Turkey to address these issues and pave to way to the enforcement of a real social dialogue in Turkey.



UNI-Europa in accordance with its resolution adopted during the Executive Committee meeting of May 2008, will step up efforts to support and assist its Turkish affiliates in their fight for the respect of trade unions rights and democratic principles in Turkey.

Erwin De Deyn, Nicola Konstantinou, Engin Ünsal, Olli Rehn, Metin Tiryakioglu, Sabrina De Marchi