Mandate Trade Union expresses support for Turkish IKEA workers campaigning for ‘basic human right’ to join a union

Friday 7 September 2012

Mandate Trade Union has today expressed its support for the IKEA workers in Turkey who are campaigning to have their right to join a trade union respected by the company. Mandate General Secretary, John Douglas, has sent a letter to all IKEA workers in Turkey commending them for taking a stand on this important matter of principle.

Mr Douglas explained that this letter was issued in light of reports that IKEA in Turkey has been engaged in a campaign to dissuade people from joining Turkish Trade Union Koop-is and encouraging those who had already joined the union to leave.

“It is reported that tactics such as intimidation and threatening workers’ family members at their homes have been used. Along with such threatening visits, workers have reported receiving threats and harassment in the workplace. Indeed, some workers have been fired after management suspected they were union members.“

In his letter to the IKEA workers in Turkey, John Douglas said: “Trade Union Rights are Human Rights and no employer can be allowed to strip away your basic human right to join a Trade Union. We commend your brave stand against the bullying tactics of IKEA management and we resolve to highlight the shameful actions of IKEA to the Irish public.”

Mr Douglas finished his letter by saying: “In IKEA Ireland we too are facing a similar battle for union rights; our struggle is your struggle. We will not allow IKEA to trample on the workers of Turkey or Ireland, together we will stand and together we will win against injustice.”

The UNI IKEA Global Alliance is calling on IKEA to stand by its values and ensure all employees have the right to join a union without fear.