Reaction from Memur-Sen to Unlawful Investigation Attempts: "Trade Union Action cannot be Blocked"

ANKARA - The Confederation of Civil Servant-Sen (Memur-Sen) has issued a stern warning following rumors that its members will be investigated for participating in the work stoppage on August 18, 2025 as part of the 8th Term Public Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The union emphasized that the action was a democratic and constitutional right and announced that they would launch a legal struggle against such attempts.

"Illegal and Unacceptable"

"We will never tolerate such unlawful and unacceptable, reckless and arbitrary attempts that push the limits of our tolerance," the union said in a statement. The union stated that the right to union action is guaranteed by the Constitution, human rights conventions and court decisions. Recalling the decisions of the Council of State and the Constitutional Court, Memur-Sen emphasized that participating in a union demonstration should be accepted as an excuse and cannot be subject to disciplinary action.

"Legal Recourse to Investigators"

The statement said it was unlawful to open investigations or impose disciplinary penalties on public employees who participated in the protest. The union announced that they would file a complaint with the public prosecutor's office against the officials who made such an attempt, on the grounds that they committed the crime of "obstruction of trade union rights."

Memur-Sen stated that these unlawful attempts will overshadow even the August 18 protest and open the door to other protests that will spread all over Turkey, and called on the authorities to turn back from this mistake. The statement took an important stance for the protection of trade union rights and freedoms.