Garment workers' resistance is growing in Urfa

Garment workers at Özak Textile in Urfa, Turkey, have been out demonstrating for the past 10 days for their trade union rights. 
Workers of Özak Textile in Urfa, Turkey, have been demonstrating outside the factory since 27th of November for the right to join a trade union of their choice, and for the reinstatement of the worker who was dismissed for exercising this right.

The factory employs 700 workers and produces garments for Levi's as well as other brands. The management started a crackdown and dismissed a worker after many workers resigned from Öz İplik-İş union to join the Unified Textile, Weaving, and Leather Workers Union (BİRTEK-SEN).

After the workers switched union, the management forced them to resign from BIRTEK-SEN. The workers stated that they would continue the resistance until their dismissed colleagues are hired and better working conditions are introduced. Especially female workers complain from ill-treatment and harassment.

The company resorts to the security forces and the gendarmerie to attack the workers when they demonstrate. Workers and trade unionists were detained multiple times. 

On the 10th day of action, following a similar attack by the gendarmerie with batons and pepper spray, the workers from inside the factory also went out to join their fellow workers outside, despite the efforts of the management, and production stopped. BIRTEK-SEN union called the company to reinstate the dismissed worker and recognise the union.

Condemning the detentions and the attacks on the workers, Labour Party (EMEP) Gaziantep MP Sevda Karaca said "Solidarity and resistance is growing in Özak Textile! The anti-labour, misogynist, anti-worker government laid all the means of the state at the feet of the Özak boss. Özak workers did not give up, did not break their unity, and defended their will. If Özak Textile workers win, the whole working class wins." (EVRENSEL DAILY)