Arslan: "Cooperation and Collaboration are Essential in the BSP Process"

HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan made important evaluations regarding the Public Framework Protocol (PPP) process. Arslan stated that the workers, who have been waiting for the signing of collective labor agreements for 8 months, have been providing public service under difficult conditions.

"Our laborers are waiting patiently. We have brothers and sisters who lost their lives in difficult conditions, in fires, who put their lives on the line to prevent the country from burning. Their collective agreements have still not been signed. They expect these difficulties to be resolved as soon as possible and the contracts to be concluded," Arslan said, emphasizing that workers' demands are a priority.

Calling attention to the unity among unions during the process, Arslan said that the statements made by Türk-İş from time to time were unfortunate and added: "While the collective bargaining process is ongoing, we should avoid statements that will harm each other. As HAK-İŞ, we have meticulously complied with this sensitivity until today" he said.

Arslan also referred to the L20 Summit process and stated that HAK-İŞ participated in the meetings as a natural member and gave important messages to the world public opinion. Arslan also voiced the demands of Palestinian workers and said, "We brought the embargoes in Gaza and the obstruction of humanitarian aid to the agenda of the L20. We had the opportunity to announce the massacres of our Palestinian brothers and sisters to the world public opinion."

HAK-İŞ President reminded that the criticisms are baseless and that the L20 is a platform where ITUC member confederations are equally represented. Emphasizing the need for more cooperation and joint work in the process, Arslan said, "Although we are competing, we come together to solve our common problems. Our problem is to eat grapes, not to beat the winegrower" he said.

After the meeting, HAK-İŞ Public Framework Coordination Board continued its work on the PPP process.