Turkish glass workers defy Government ban

This week, around 6,000 workers employed by the Şişecam company, the biggest glass manufacturer in Europe, staged a series of industrial actions in support of their demands (see here and here). These protests are in direct response to the Turkish Government’s attempt to stop their organising efforts by banning strike action for reasons of ‘national security’. This is not the first time that these workers have had to take on both the employers and the state, as their win in 2014 demonstrates. Given the repressive political climate in Turkey and the President’s expanded powers, these protests might have far reaching political consequences. 

This week, around 6,000 workers employed by the Şişecam company, the biggest glass manufacturer in Europe, staged a series of industrial actions in support of their demands (see here and here). These protests are in direct response to the Turkish Government’s attempt to stop their organising efforts by banning strike action for reasons of ‘national security’. This is not the first time that these workers have had to take on both the employers and the state, as their win in 2014 demonstrates. Given the repressive political climate in Turkey and the President’s expanded powers, these protests might have far reaching political consequences.