Health and Safety Training in Istanbul by Sağlık-İş Trade Union

Istanbul - The Health and Social Service Workers' Union of Turkey (Sağlık-İş) has successfully completed the Occupational Health and Safety training for its members working in hospitals in Istanbul. This training, which is the last leg of the "Training Project on Ensuring Occupational Health and Safety of Employees Working in Imaging Centers and Laboratories in Hospitals", once again showed that the union struggle covers not only economic but also health and safety issues, which are vital rights.

Comprehensive Training for Health Workers

The training, which took place with the participation of members working in workplaces affiliated to the Istanbul and Kadıköy branches, discussed the risks that workers may encounter in the hazardous environments in which they work and the measures to be taken against these risks. The union management stated that with the completion of the project, the occupational safety awareness of its members has increased significantly and an important step has been taken towards creating a safer working environment in the workplace.

Health and Safety Emphasis in the Trade Union Struggle

Adem Sarıçoban, General Secretary of Sağlık-İş, who made the opening speech of the training, emphasized that union organization is essential not only for financial rights but also for ensuring worker health and safety. In his speech, Sarıçoban mentioned that subcontracting and privatization, especially in health, negatively affect worker health and safety, and gave the message that the struggle against such practices will continue.

Content of the Training Program and Participants

Presentations were made by experts in their fields within the scope of the program. Occupational Safety Expert Deniz İpek explained in detail the occupational health and safety legislation and methods to minimize risks in workplaces. Prof. Dr. Arif Koşar provided valuable information to the participants on the history of the working class, the importance of organizing and effective methods of union communication. In addition to Secretary General Adem Sarıçoban, Istanbul Branch President Nedime Mutlu Yıldırım, Kadıköy Branch President Zerrin Ceren and branch administrations also participated in the training. In the last part of the training, an interactive forum was organized and the questions of the participants were answered.

Education and Struggle Together

Taking the floor again in his closing speech, General Secretary Adem Sarıçoban pointed out that training is one of the most powerful tools of union struggle. Sarıçoban thanked all participants and trainers and stated that they will continue to fight for safer, healthier and decent conditions in workplaces by strengthening union awareness.