Turquía - Arson attack on strikers’ camp (2012)

On 16 January, the “Resistance Tent” sheltering protesting workers was burnt down outside the Grup Suni Deri (Artificial Leather) factory. The workers were protesting over the sacking of 15 workers in December 2010 after they refused to resign their union membership from International Textile, Garment, and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) affiliate Deri-İş (Turkish Leather and Shoe Workers Union). The employer refused to recognise or negotiate with the union, even though they represented 65 out of the 105 employees at the factory, well exceeding the 50% threshold set by law. His reaction was to tell union members they should leave the union or be fired. The protest began after he carried out his threat.