Hak-İş Vice President Halil Çukutli Attended OATUU Executive Board Meeting

DARUSSELAM, TANZANIA - Halil Çukutli, Vice President of the Hak-İş Confederation, attended the 46th Executive Board meeting of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) to represent the Turkish labour movement internationally. On August 22, 2025 in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, Chukutli emphasized the importance the Confederation attaches to international solidarity and cooperation.

Speaking at the meeting, Çukutli conveyed the greetings of Hak-İş President Mahmut Arslan and said that the Confederation is one of the largest labor confederations in Turkey with 21 trade unions and more than 850 thousand members. He added that Hak-İş is an active member of internationally respected organizations such as ITUC and ETUC.

"We Recognize OATUU's Critical Role"

Cukutli said that African trade unions appreciate the struggle of African trade unions to protect workers' rights, dignity and prosperity across the continent. He said they are aware of the critical role OATUU plays not only in defending workers' rights but also in strengthening social justice, independence and unity among African peoples. These efforts, he said, inspire unions around the world and organized workers in Turkey.

"There is a Need for a Strong Trade Union Movement"

Characterizing the common problems faced by trade union movements globally, Çukutli said, "We face common problems such as precarious work, the informal economy, attacks on trade union rights, migration and deepening income inequality. However, our common will for solidarity and social justice is stronger than these problems." Emphasizing that working people around the world need a strong, democratic and united trade union movement, Çukutli said Turkey is ready to strengthen its relations and cooperation with the African trade union movement.

"Call for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza"

Mentioning the situation in Gaza in his speech, Chukutli stated that trade unions act on the principles of solidarity, anti-imperialism and workers' rights and have the responsibility to stand by the oppressed peoples. He called on them to stand with the Palestinian people and condemn Israel's actions in Gaza. Chukutli also called for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We are in Strong Solidarity with OATUU"

Çukutli also announced that they are in talks with OATUU Secretary General Rezki Mezhoud to organize an "African-Turkish Trade Union Summit" in Turkey in the near future. In his speech, he thanked Mezhoud for his efforts to strengthen the relations between OATUU and Hak-İş.