HAK-IS Gave a Message of Unity on its 50th Anniversary: Provincial Presidents Gathered in Ankara

ANKARA - HAK-İŞ, one of the most important labor confederations of Turkey, brought together Provincial Presidents from 81 provinces of Turkey in Ankara as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. At the meeting held under the chairmanship of President Mahmut Arslan on October 22, 2025, the 50-year struggle of the confederation was proudly commemorated and the current working life agenda was discussed.

In addition to President Mahmut Arslan, Vice Presidents Yunus Değirmenci, Devlet Sert and Mehmet Ali Kayabaşı, Secretary General Eda Akbulut, Assistant Secretaries General Fatma Zengin and Hamdi Abdullah Koçoğlu and 81 provincial presidents attended the meeting.

Arslan: "HAK-İŞ is the Process of Building a Civilization through Laborers"

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, President Mahmut Arslan described the 50th anniversary as a source of great honor and pride. Stating that HAK-İŞ cannot be limited to only one trade union movement, Arslan defined the scope of the struggle as follows:

"In our 50 years of struggle, we have come to this day as if we have been through a 200-year struggle, overcoming the bends and breaking down the obstacles one by one. Limiting HAK-İŞ to a trade union movement is not enough to define HAK-İŞ. HAK-İŞ is the name of a cause. HAK-İŞ is the process of filling a void, meeting a need, rebuilding a civilization through laborers."

Stating that the values represented by HAK-İŞ make it different, Arslan emphasized that the confederation is the name of "the struggle that starts with a besmele and continues with a prayer" and thanked everyone who contributed to the 50-year process.

Palestine and Labor Developments on the Agenda

After watching HAK-İŞ's one-year activity movie, current issues were evaluated at the Provincial Presidents Meeting. Among the main agenda items of the meeting:

• Current problems and developments in working life,

• The stance and activities of HAK-İŞ on the ongoing genocide in Palestine,

• The organization work carried out in the provinces and the local activities of the provincial chairs

took place.

The meeting ended with the Deputy Presidents and Secretary General congratulating HAK-İŞ on its 50th Anniversary and wishing the provincial presidents success in their work.