EMF and IMF launch solidarity campaign for financial support to Turkish Sinter Metal workers
Metalworkers across Europe and globally are called on to donate funds in support of 350 struggling Sinter Metal workers, fighting for reinstatement since December 2008.
Workers of Sinter Metal in Turkey have been fighting for their jobs and their rights since December 2008 after being fired for joining the union, Birlesik Metal-IS, an affiliate of the European Metalworkers’ Federation and International Metalworkers’ Federation.
Workers are resisting in front of the company gates for almost a year. The unemployment insurance and healthcare benefits have run out as of June, and many families have been forced to sell handicrafts and small goods to survive.
Their fight is symbolic of many trade union struggles in Turkey where workers attempting to organise a union are often faced with retaliation through unjust dismissals, abuse and violence. Birlesik Metal-IS has made the Sinter Metal case a priority as it is the largest industrial dispute in Turkey’s massive Dudulu Organised Industrial Zone in the last 20 years. A victory at Sinter Metal will be a victory for all workers in Turkey.
The EMF and IMF have both made donations to this important and strategic fight. Our financial assistance will help keep the struggle alive and provide some relief for basic living costs to the 350 Birlesik Metal-IS members out of work since December.
Since launching a joint solidarity campaign in March 2009, the EMF and IMF have repeatedly called on Sinter Metal to immediately reinstate unjustly dismissed workers, stop violations of basic labour rights, and start negotiations with the union.
The affiliates are asked to help Sinter Metal workers by donating financial support directly to Birlesik Metal-IS for donations higher then 200 Euro:
Birlesik Metal-IS bank details:
The details of the new Sinter metal bank account is:
ACCOUNT HOLDER: BIRLESIK METAL – IS SENDIKASI
BANK NAME : YAPI VE KREDI BANKASI A.S..
BANK AGENCY : BAYARCADDESI SUBESI
BANKA ADDRESS : BAYAR CADDESI
SEHIT FATIH MEHMET ONGUL SOKAK
NO: 1 KADIKOY – ISTANBUL
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 60824151 (EURO)
IBAN NUMBER : TR 48000 6701 000 00 00 60824151
BANK CODE : 682
SWIFT CODE : YAPITRIS - 072
For smaller donations, the affiliates can refer to Pay Pal account on the IMF website: http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=21157&l=2
For more information please contact Mina Vukojicic, EMF Policy Adviser.
