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Jennings made the comments during a briefing he was invited to provide for ILO governing body workers’ spokesperson on multinational issues, Sam Gurney. Jennings met with Gurney at ILO headquarters in Geneva where the ILO Governing Body is in session. Gurney has been instrumental in steering the ILO to play a more ‘hands-on’ role in building dialogue between unions and multinationals.

“We have been impressed by the growth of global agreements and the globalising of labour relations. I am surprised that DHL appears to have turned it back on them,” said Gurney.

This has been illustrated in Turkey where the Turkish courts have now ruled in four separate cases that workers should be reinstated after being unfairly dismissed for being involved in union activity.

Jennings said, “We’re alarmed and disappointed that the company has gone back on assurances that if dismissals were found to be linked to union activity they would respect the court decisions. This is a callous volte-face.”

Jennings was referring to a statement made by DP-DHL’s VP Human Resources Linda Kromjong where she had agreed previous to the rulings that the company would respect the decision of the Turkish Courts.

29 Turkish DHL workers were sacked while trying to form a union.

Jennings outlined to Gurney the UNI/ITF report on DHL which detailed the egregious violation of workers’ rights worldwide. DHL workers around the world, especially outside of Europe, face a systematic violation of their basic rights.

Jennings concluded, “DHL has to change its behaviour. It’s worldwide reputation is being tarnished by what is happening in Turkey and unfortunately these are not isolated incidences. What is required is a frank dialogue to improve industrial relations at DHL globally. The ILO could be helpful to facilitate achieving that step forward. DHL should choose this path it is no time for soft soaping.”