ILO Meets Workers' Groups in Türkiye

The Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), represented by the Desk Officer for Europe and Central Asia, Sergejus Glovackas, conducted a working visit to Türkiye on 17 December 2025. During the visit, a series of meetings and consultations were held to strengthen cooperation with workers' organizations, support fundamental principles and rights at work, and enhance the technical capacities of trade unions.

As part of the visit programme, an introductory and consultation meeting was organized with representatives of trade unions benefiting from the Grant Support Programme implemented under the project Strengthening Social Partners and Civil Society Capacities on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, carried out by the ILO Office for Türkiye with the financial support of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. The meeting was attended by ILO Office for Türkiye Director Yasser Hassan and Head of the Civil Society, Fundamental Rights and Home Affairs Team of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Alessandro Angius.

Held at the ILO Ankara Office, the meeting provided information on ACTRAV's priorities in the Europe and Central Asia region, as well as the technical assistance, capacity-building and policy advisory services offered to workers' organizations. It was emphasized that ACTRAV's core objective is to strengthen the institutional capacities of workers' organizations in line with ILO standards and to support their effective participation in social dialogue mechanisms.

In the second part of the meeting, representatives of the grant beneficiary trade unions shared their experiences regarding activities carried out during the project implementation process. Discussions focused on key challenges faced by workers' organizations in Türkiye, including freedom of association, collective bargaining processes, the exercise of the right to strike and the effectiveness of social dialogue mechanisms. Participants also exchanged views on the sustainability and dissemination of the achievements attained through the projects.

Visits to TÜRK-İŞ, HAK-İŞ and KESK

Following the meeting, Sergejus Glovackas held separate meetings with Ramazan Ağar, Vice President of the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ); Mahmut Arslan, President of the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-İŞ); and Ayfer Koçak, Co-Chair of the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK).

During the meetings, priority issues on the confederations' agendas, current challenges in the world of work and common challenges faced by the trade union movement were discussed. Strengthening social dialogue mechanisms, promoting fair and adequate wages, improving occupational safety and health, combating informal employment and safeguarding trade union rights were among the main topics highlighted.

Glovackas reaffirmed ACTRAV's commitment to continuing cooperation with workers' organizations and to providing technical support in areas of need. He also underlined that, with their experience and institutional capacity, workers' organizations in Türkiye have significant potential to contribute to strengthening workers' organizations operating in Central Asia and the Caucasus.