International Transport Workers' Federation's Letter to Trexta Employer, Attila Kutbay

To the urgent attention of:

Attila Kutbay, CEO

TrextaTrexplas Plastic & Metal Injection & Mould Manufacturing Facility       

Hadımköy Yolu, Karaağaç Köyü 2407 parsel

34555 Büyükçekmece / İstanbul / TURKEY

Via email and fax:

attila.kutbay@trexta.com

Fax. +(90) 212 438 0117

                                                                                                                               

London, 7 February 2012

MU/dt

Dear Sir

Re: Violations of workers’ rights at the Trexta manufacturing facility in Çerkezköy, Turkey.

I am writing to you on behalf of the five million members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, one of the worldwide trade union federations that form the Global Unions group.

I understand from our sister organisations in the Global Unions that in 2011 Deri-İş, the union which represents the workers at Trexta Manufacturing Facility in Çerkezköy Turkey, started an organising campaign with the legitimate aim of improving the working conditions. This was apparently met with hostility from Trexta management.

I have reason to believe that eight Trexta workers have been dismissed in recent months because of their union work and membership. Other workers have been known to receive warnings by management not to join the union.

From the reports I have received, it is evident that Trexta management is imposing dangerous and potentially unlawful conditions on its workers. There are reports of serious work accidents including loss of limb, and of other serious injuries that have taken place – without subsequent investigation or severance pay. Workers appear to be refused their legal right to paid leave. Moreover, it seems that they have been forced to work longer than the legal limit of eight hours with no overtime pay.

The ITF and its global affiliates believe these alleged acts to  constitute clear violations of fundamental workers' rights and urge you to intervene and ensure that workers are free to join the trade union of their choice without suffering harassment or threats from management. I would also urge you therefore to respond immediately to improve the working conditions.

I would be very interested to hear your comments on this matter and look forward to receiving your timely response.

Yours sincerely,

David Cockroft                                                                                  Mac Urata                           

General Secretary                                                                           Section Secretary

cc:           Ashling Seely, The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation

                Emre Eren Korkmaz, Deri-İş