Dismissed textile workers’ protests pay off: Employer accepts the requests

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The dismissed workers of Uğur Textile factory, who have been protesting for months, have announced that their requests have been accepted.

In November, dozens of workers were dismissed from the Uğur Textile factory, where the Textile Workers' Union of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) was organized. Even though they were promised reinstatement, they were not reinstated.

On March 26, the dismissed workers made a statement in front of the Adana Optimum Shopping Mall, where Zara, for which the factory has been producing, has a shop. Workers announced that Zara and the IndustriALL Global Union contacted them and informed them that the employer of the Uğur Textile factory has accepted the demands of the workers.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, Erdal Ayata said, "IndustriALL informed us that Uğur Textile Employer Mr. Hayri Uğur has accepted the 3-point protocol prepared by workers and Zara has become its guarantor". Ayata announced that in the wake of this development, they have suspended their action plans, adding that the protests will continue if promises are not kept.

Noting that the wages that they were supposed to get during the course of their dismissal has reached 20 thousand lira, he said, "In order to break down this prejudice, we accept the 8,000-lira offered to us by the boss on the condition that the 3-point protocol is signed".

What happened?

Workers became members of the DİSK Textile Workers Union to improve their working conditions at the Uğur Textile in Urfa province. On September 10, 2021, the union got authorization to represent the workers. However, the employer did not recognize it, dismissed all workers and closed the factory. The factory was producing for the Zara brand.

300 workers started resisting after the factory was closed. Following their protests, the employer accepted the requests for meeting the union. Nearly a month later, they reached an agreement. The factory was opened again, all workers were reinstated and the company recognized the union's authorization. Workers started working again on November 1.

However, on November 18, 97 workers were dismissed from the factory again. 10 dismissed workers were reinstated at different times, but 87 workers could not get back to their jobs. (HA/SD)