Unions criticize draft law on public servants

ANKARA

A member of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) shouts slogans during a protest in Ankara. DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

As Parliament begins to debate a draft law pledging the right to collective bargaining for public servants, trade unions have rallied against the move, calling it a fake and cosmetic amendment.

“Collective bargaining will be implemented every two years in August. In addition, retired public servants will also be able to enjoy this right. This will bring a modern and a European collective bargaining law to Turkey,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yesterday in an address made to young public servants.

Right to strike

However, trade unions believe the law falls short in meeting their own demands for collective bargaining and the right to strike. The Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) held a rally yesterday, demanding withdrawal of the law from Parliament.

Claiming that the draft law aims to increase the advantages of a pro-government trade union confederation and decrease its own influence, KESK argued the draft was in fact worse than the existing one. “It does not bring any regulation to guarantee our right to strike, places hurdles in front of our right to assembly and it openly favors pro-government confederations in the formation of the Trade Unions Delegation,” read a statement issued by the KESK.