HAK-İŞ President Arslan: "We Combine Domestic and National Values with Universal Trade Unionism"

ANTALYA - HAK-İŞ Confederation President Mahmut Arslan made important statements at the second term third group "Great Representative Meeting" organized by Hizmet-İş Trade Union in Antalya on 25 October 2025. Arslan emphasized that the Confederation has made a difference in its 50-year struggle by relying on local and national roots and adopting universal trade union principles.

The program was attended by Hizmet-İş Union Board Members, HAK-İŞ Provincial Presidents, union representatives and experts.

HAK-İŞ's Difference and Principled Stance

President Arslan, while evaluating the historical march of the Confederation since its foundation until today, summarized the main element that makes HAK-İŞ different with the following words:

"Our roots are in the civilization of this land, but we are not closed to the world. While we put our local-national values at the center of our trade unionism, we also defend the universal principles of the international trade union movement."

Arslan drew attention to the principled stance of HAK-İŞ in Turkey's critical political periods. He stated that both during the September 12, 1980 coup d'état, the Confederation paid the price despite the closure of the Confederation and the confiscation of its assets, and during the 28 February process, it defended democracy and the will of the nation against the oppression of military and civilian actors.

"As in September 12, HAK-İŞ took a position against the coup processes on February 28 as well as on September 12 and has always maintained its principled stance despite the consequences."

Minimum Wage and the Palestinian Agenda

Criticizing the Minimum Wage Determination Commission system, which was one of the important agenda items of the meeting, Arslan emphasized that the current structure operates with the logic of the 1970s and is disconnected from the realities of the country. Arslan renewed his demands for the composition of the commission:

• Short Term: In the December process, the will of the tripartite structure (workers, employers, government) should really be reflected on the table.

• Medium-Long Term: Move to an independent and institutionalized minimum wage model with the government playing a regulatory role.

The General President also touched upon the Gaza and Palestine cause at the end of his speech. He reminded that HAK-İŞ, through its Jerusalem and Palestine Committee, has provided 1.2 million dollars of medicine, food and cash support for more than two years. "Gaza and Palestine is the cause of our conscience and civilization," Arslan said, adding that the union solidarity will continue for an independent Palestinian State.