News

Press Release



July 2, 2008



E-Kart violates workers rights in Turkey



E-Kart, a German-Turkish joint venture company, is discriminating against its workers in Gebze (Turkey).

“Its actions are in violation of UN Global Compact the company’s Code of Conduct, as well as ILO Conventions and the Constitution of Turkey,” says Adriana Rosenzvaig UNI Global Union.

Sabine Pustet, Verdi said: “Verdi cannot accept that core labour standards can be violated at will by the E-Kart Board of Directors.”

For more than two years, E-Kart workers and their union Basin-Is have been fighting for their rights.

A mission from UNI Global Union and Verdi joined striking workers for 4 days in front of E-Kart in Gebze (Turkey). The union has been on strike since June 16th, demanding Trade Union Rights, Decent Work and Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Mission also met E-Kart co-managers Enver Irdem and Tayfun Tonguc. The managers refused absolutely to change their attitude towards the union. The company’s Board of Directors consists of equal numbers from Eczacibasi Holding and Giesecke & Devrient.

“International Solidarity from UNI and Verdi is very important for our fight, our members will not give up, and together we win a Collective Agreement for E-Kart workers,” confirmed Yakup Akkaya President of Basin-Is.

UNI Global Union, Verdi and Basin–Is will therefore extend international campaign. They will launch a complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, to insure that E-Kart respect Trade Union and Collective Bargaining Rights for all working women and men in Turkey.



Contacts:



UNI: Adriana Rosenzvaig, adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org, +4179 202 1926

Verdi: Frank Werneke, frank.werneke@verdi.de, +49 30 6956-2300

Basin-Is: Yakup Akkaya, basinis@basin-is.org ( + 90 5333511980

UNI Global Union is the international trade union for service workers. Its Headquarters are in Nyon, Switzerland. It represents 20 million workers in 900 unions in 150 countries all over the world.