Turquía - Trade union lay-offs (2010)

In May, the Public Services International (PSI)-affiliated municipality workers’ union Genel-Is started its struggle on behalf of its 276 members, who were dismissed after Karsiyaka Municipality in Izmir started to contract out the municipal services. Services were up till then being provided by KENT-AS. The workers were dismissed because of a lack of resources and excess workforce, but according to PSI, the main reason for their dismissal was to outsource the services they provided. This is indeed what happened soon after the Genel-Is members were dismissed. After five months of seeking conciliation with the Municipal Administration, Genel-Is had still not received a response. It therefore decided to organise a protest march from Izmir to Ankara, which was then disturbed by police interference.