First home-based workers' union recognized by Council of State decision

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Founded in November 2009, the Home-based Workers' Union (Ev-Eksen) was officially recognized as a union by a Council of State decision in late June.

The decision paves the way for the recognition of the home-based working sector and unionization of all precarious workers, Ev-Eksen said in a statement.

"We established Ev-Eksen on November 10, 2009; however, all our attempts at the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services to get a registration number required for the registration of members failed," the union stated.

"The legal struggle that we initiated when the Ministry officially gave a negative response to our request to be given a registration number on October 14, 2010, finally resulted in gains after 10 years."

It added that it expected the ministry to "rapidly" implement the Council of State decision and the necessary legal arrangements to be made.

Home-based manufacturing is very common in Turkey, the union noted, saying that an overwhelming majority of those who work in the sector are women in both Turkey and the world.

It is a way of work with "law-wage, bad conditions, uncertainty, and no social rights," the union said. People sometimes work "day and night" and sometimes fail to find a job for months, it added.

Also, it said, precarious workers have experienced and seen during the pandemic that their situation deeply affects their right to work, health and education.

Its recognition will be an important gain, especially for women workers, the union stated.

Ev-Eksen was founded on November 10, 2009, after efforts for the organization of home-based manufacturers since 1994. It has 27 founders from various parts of the country, including İstanbul, Antep, Şırnak, Muğla and Mersin.

It includes all home-based manufacturers, per-piece, by order or on their own account. (EMK/VK)