JO-IN CLARIFYING STATEMENT ON FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

 

 

Meeting in Istanbul on 14 and 16 May, the JO-IN Steering Committee focused much attention on Freedom of Association, a core focus area of the JO-IN Project in Turkey.

 

Reviewing both formal and informal discussions with international and local stakeholders during JO-IN’s May 15 International Consultation Day at Bosphorus University, the Steering Committee concluded that there were many misunderstandings existing on the Freedom of Association issue, as well as many calls for more information and  for systematic training.

 

The matter of training on Freedom of Association will be addressed by JO-IN during the current Remediations Phase of the Turkey Project. However, the JO-IN Steering Committee considered it important to draw the attention of Turkish stakeholders in the JO-IN Project to the following, as soon as possible:

 

  1. Workplace committees to represent workers’ interests, which are set up by employers, do not comply with the minimum requirements of the ILO Standard on Freedom of Association.

 

  1. The statement: “JO-IN expects employers to ensure that their workers join trade unions,” is completely incorrect. For employers to force their employees to associate*, or not associate, is a contravention of the ILO Standard on Freedom of Association.

 

JO-IN has noted indications from some JO-IN-participating suppliers that they intend to set up worker committees. Others have already done so. However, International experience over many years has shown that such committees tend to be an obstacle to Freedom of Association rather than a help. 

 

JO-IN is therefore strongly advising against the setting up of such committees by employers.

 

The correct handling of worker representation, and the correct structuring of worker representation systems in terms of the  ILO Standard for Freedom of Association, will form a core element in any agreed training programs that emerge from the current 

JO-IN Remediations Phase discussions, involving all Stakeholders.

 

 

 

Issued by JO-IN Turkey office

29 May 2007

 

 

* The question of individual workers’ “right to not associate” in situations where the majority of workers has chosen to associate (i.e. the extent to which democratic majority rule affects individual and minority rights) is an ongoing discussion within the ILO framework.

 
 
 

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