Strong Reaction from Birleşik Metal-İş to SAG Hidrolik: "Constitutional Rights Are Being Violated, Workers Are Not Alone!"

SAKARYA - The United Metalworkers Union (Birleşik Metal-İş) has reacted strongly to the crackdown on union organizing at the Italian-owned SAG Hidrolik company in Sakarya's Hendek district. Stating that constitutional rights were violated by the employer, the union demanded the immediate reinstatement of its unjustly dismissed members and the commencement of collective bargaining negotiations.

Attacks on the Right to Organize and Unlawful Dismissals

In a written statement made by the United Metal-İş Union, it was stated that the majority of 114 workers at SAG Hidrolik became members of the union in August and the union applied for authorization to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on August 4, 2025. As a result of the Ministry's investigation, it was stated that the Italian SAG Hidrolik employer started attacks to prevent union organizing, although it was officially registered that the union had achieved the legal majority on August 18, 2025.

The statement detailed the following unlawful dismissals:

• 11 August 2025: Union member Onur Karaman was dismissed from his job without compensation with KOD 46 without any justification.

• August 29, 2025: Union member Ercan Barutçu was also dismissed with KOD 46.

• September 5, 2025: Union member Ceylan Civelek was unfairly and unlawfully dismissed with KOD 46 hours before her wedding.

Systematic Pressure and Threatening Environment in the Factory

The union reported that supervisors and foremen, taking instructions from factory managers, regularly make explicit threats, such as "We don't want the union, otherwise we will close the factory." It was stated that talking on the phone is banned in the workplace, passage between departments is restricted and even the most basic freedom of communication and movement of workers is prevented. It was emphasized that this unlawful attitude of the employer is a clear attack on the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, the Law No. 6356 on Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements, the ILO Conventions to which our country is a party and the most fundamental human rights.

Call to the International Public and Authorities

Birleşik Metal-İş stated that it brought the rights violations at SAG Hidrolik to the agenda of the international trade union public opinion and raised the issue before the European headquarters of SAG Group through FIOM, the sister union organized in the company's Italian headquarters. The parent organization IndustriALL Global Union announced its solidarity with the union in a letter of solidarity sent on September 10. However, it was noted that despite all efforts, there was no positive response to calls for dialogue from the company headquarters.

The union called on all competent authorities, especially the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, to intervene in these violations of rights and unlawfulness at SAG Hidrolik. "All domestic and foreign capital groups investing in Turkey should know that you cannot prevent metal workers' right to organize and collective bargaining through pressure and intimidation," Birleşik Metal-İş said in a message.

Birleşik Metal-İş Union concluded its statement by emphasizing that it will continue to stand firmly by the metal workers of Hendek and will not bow down to any employer who does not recognize any rules: "Long Live Our Organized Struggle!"