ILO Director-General and labour confederations in Turkey discuss how to improve labour and union rights

The ILO Director-General’s meeting with the confederations of workers’ and public servants’ unions in Turkey highlighted the importance of trade unions and social dialogue in dealing with current issues in the world of work

Press release | 03 September 2015
ANKARA – International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder met with the Presidents of confederations of trade unions of workers and public servants on 2 September 2015 in Ankara to exchange views and discuss recent developments in world of work both at the national and global levels.

Guy Ryder is in Turkey for three days to attend the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Ankara. His trip marks the first visit to Ankara by an ILO Director-General in 22 years.

The meeting focused on issues of common interest to unions and the ILO, including how to improve labour and union rights effectively in line with international labour standards.

During the visit, Ryder provided a short overview of global developments and policy trends related to the world of work, which are also on the agenda of the G20.

“The ILO follows very closely and responds to developments in Turkey, including challenges such as the Syrian refugee influx, occupational accidents and social dialogue needs,” said Ryder. On-going ILO technical assistance projects and new initiatives in the pipeline are expected to help address these issues.

“It is obvious that the world of work in the future will be very different than today’s. We need to understand the dynamic in order to best manage and shape it,” said Ryder.

“At the ILO, we are conscious that we must continuously improve and strengthen our work to make it as relevant and useful as possible to employees, employers and governments,” concluded Ryder, reiterating the ILO's commitment for future collaboration and technical expertise.

The confederations reflected their views and concerns on labour and employment issues, as well as the challenges they face with regards to exercising trade union rights. Concerns regarding occupational safety and health and the labour market impact of the Syrian refugee crisis were two other important issues highlighted by the confederations.

The Presidents of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ); HAK-İŞ Confederation; the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK); the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (MEMUR-SEN), the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions of Turkey (KAMU-SEN) and the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) were present at the meeting.