WORKERS at a garment factory in Turkey are continuing their fight for the right to join the trade union of their choice and for the reinstatement of a worker sacked for exercising that right.

Garment workers at Ozak Textile in the south-eastern city of Urfa have been demonstrating outside the factory since November 27.

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 Oz Iplik-Is union to join the United Textile Workers’ Union (BIRTEK-SEN).

After the workers switched unions, the management forced them to resign from BIRTEK-SEN. 

Workers say they intend to continue their strike until their dismissed colleagues are rehired and better working conditions are introduced including dealing with high levels of sexual harassment reported by women workers. 

The company has hit back by using security forces to attack strikers during demonstrations with some workers being detained on multiple occasions.

Condemning the detentions and the attacks on the workers, Labour Party Gaziantep MP Sevda Karaca said “Solidarity and resistance is growing in Ozak Textile. 

“If Ozak Textile workers win, the whole working class wins."

BIRTEK-SEN union called the company to reinstate the dismissed worker and recognise the union.