The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions Research Institute released the "Report on Working Hours". Turkish workers work longer hours and do more extra hours than workers in other countries. At the same time, their right to paid leave is extremely restricted in international comparison.

The police ended the twelve-day protest of workers in Samsun with the use of tear gas and water cannons. The workers had demonstrated against 110 lay-offs. Two workers were taken into police custody, one was brought to hospital.

"This workplace is on strike" said 600 workers in Eskişehir who kicked off a series of strikes organized by the United Metal Workers Union, the first such action of the union in 21 years. 15,000 workers are going on strike against flexible employment and low wages.

The police intervened with tear gas and water cannons against protestors in Ankara who had gathered upon the call of socialist trade unions to encircle the parliament with a chain of people. The labourers wanted to express their protest against the "Bag of Laws".

Socialist trade union leader Çelebi criticized that the package of controversial laws included in the "Bag Law" brought several restrictions and impairments of labour rights. He called on the government to "stop the exploitation of labour disguised under a few positive articles".

After 26 years, the trial regarding the murder of Turkish socialist union leader Kemal Türkler was closed by prescription. The Türkler family is going to apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

Tekel workers complained about Tek Gıda-İş Union Head Türkel. The workers had been beaten after they protested Türkel by throwing eggs at him because he had not kept his promises. Tekel workers from different parts of the country file a complaint in Istanbul today.

The state, which gives a contribution of 6 billion TL (3 billion euros) to the unemployment fund, has taken 7 billion TL (3.5 billion euros) back. Only 180 thousand people can benefit from the unemployment fund in a country, where there are 3 million unemployed people. They get an average of 345 Turkish Liras (173 euros). For 10 months at most...

Only KESK decided to go on strike after four labour union confederations had previously decided for a general action on 26 May. Assoc. Prof. Dr Mütfüoğlu talked to bianet about a necessary new approach of the unions.

The bodies of 28 mine workers who died in a gas explosion on 17 May were found on Thursday. The explosion happened in a mine of the Turkish Coal Corporation Karadon Enterprise Directorate in Zonguldak (Black Sea coast). Two workers are still missing.

The Governor of Istanbul engaged more than 22,000 policemen for 1 May. Union representatives will be at the check points. Six union confederations will gather at Taksim square after a converging demonstration. The whole area will be closed to traffic.

After three days of constitutional sessions, amendments on collective bargaining, the right to strike and lockout, closure of political parties, public autidorship, loss of membership of the parliament and regulations regarding the General Administrative Board passed through parliament.

Massive police presence intervened against Tekel workers in Ankara. A press release by unionists had to be re-located. Tekel workers will continue their resistance against the loss of employee personal rights with protest actions of several days' duration each in the coming months.

The State Council decided that the 4C regulation, subject to a trial opened by Tekel workers, is contrary to the law. The Council applied to the Constitutional Court to annul the article.

TekGıda-İş decided that the Tekel workers should strike the tent in Ankara. Union President Türkel announced a 1,000 people meeting at Türk-İş for 1 April. He called the government to abolish the 4C implementation until then.

According to mining trade unionist Görgün, it is clear that there were faults with the mine's air ventilation, early warning system and auditing. Thirteen miners died in a gas explosion on 23 February, eighteen were injured.

Four labour unions confederations announced their joint decision to end the resistance in case the Tekel workers decide not to continue. The confederations consider the resistance as a success.

Tens of thousands of people used their right not to work for one day and supported the struggle of the Tekel workers in a general strike. For Türk-İş President Kumlu it was a successful protest action withstanding the pressure of officials and employers.

Millions of members of six union confederations join the general strike to support Tekel workers in their struggle for job security and take action against the pressure imposed to the workers. Türk-İş President Kumlu repeated the request to protect the workers' employee personal rights.

The six trade union confederations representing the interests of the Tekel workers in Ankara decided to go for a "general action" on 4 February. The decision was taken after the government did not step back from temporary employment of the workers.