The second representatives’ training, organised within the scope of the joint project carried out with our sister union 3F from Denmark, was held in Istanbul on 3 December 2025.
President Kazım Doğan, Executive Board member Birol Tan and
Merter Branch President Asalettin Arslanoğlu took part in the meeting, which was organised for our workplace union representatives in the Istanbul region. At the beginning of the programme, President Doğan thanked all participants for their interest and wished everyone a successful meeting.
Attending the meeting on behalf of 3F, Lesya Rykhalska stated that she had come to Turkey in connection with the joint project carried out with our union, that she was very excited to be there, and that she hoped the meeting would contribute to a strong partnership and common struggle.
In the morning session, Üzeyir Ataman, Head of the Education Department of Lastik-İş, spoke about the formation of trade unions in the world and in Turkey, the role of workers in creating a democratic society, and the gains achieved through struggles in Turkey. He drew attention to certain regulations introduced by governments over the last 20 years that have caused significant harm to workers, such as income tax brackets, the minimum wage arrangements and the ceiling on severance pay.
In the next part of the programme, Merter Branch President Asalettin Arslanoğlu gave a presentation on basic labour rights. He explained the key issues that a worker needs to know from recruitment through to termination of employment, and then addressed the elements that need to be taken into account in organising efforts.
In the afternoon session, occupational safety expert Seda Güllüce spoke about occupational health and safety, explaining the selection, duties and powers of employee representatives, as well as the establishment and functioning of occupational health and safety (OHS) committees as set out in the legislation.
In the final part of the meeting, ILO expert Ayşe Emel Akalın set out the key elements concerning discrimination, gender equality and the prevention of violence and harassment in the workplace, with a particular focus on ILO Convention No. 111. Akalın noted that there are conventions in this area that Turkey has not yet signed and stated that it would be beneficial for trade unions to make more active efforts in this regard. She added that the efforts of DİSK and Tekstil in these fields are being followed closely.
