DESA Factory and Deri Is Union Sign Protocol

CCC PRESS RELEASE

(Amsterdam) After a year-long campaign of solidarity in support of unfairly and illegally dismissed workers from the DESA leather factory in Turkey, the Clean Clothes Campaign today announced a successful end to the case.

In a protocol agreement signed by DESA and the Turkish Deri Is union, DESA agreed to reinstate an additional five dismissed workers immediately and one more later, on top of the six already reinstated. Other dismissed workers will be given first priority in any new hiring opportunities.

The agreement also states that DESA will recognise Deri Is as the single authorised union at the factory, and DESA will not engage in any positive or negative attitude to employees in regard to the union. Moreover, all employees will be given a document stating that unionisation is a constitutional right.

Paige Shipman, Urgent Appeals Coordinator for the Clean Clothes Campaign, states “the dismissed workers fought a long hard fight to defend the right to freedom of association. We hope that this protocol will mark the beginning of a constructive relationship between the two parties and long-term respect for the human rights of workers.”

The Clean Clothes Campaign initially brought the struggle of the Turkish workers to the attention of companies buying from the factory, including Prada, Debenhams, M&S, Mulberry, Aspinalls of London, Nicole Fahri and Luella. When that wasn’t enough, it mobilised the support of consumers.

With victory for the workers achieved, the Clean Clothes Campaign is now urging DESA buyers to stand behind this factory and ensure that DESA’s decision to respect freedom of association is supported through increased orders and investment. The group will maintain contact with the Deri Is union to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

The Clean Clothes Campaign works with over 200 partner organisations worldwide to improve working conditions and support empowerment of workers in the global garment industry. The Campaign has offices in 12 European countries.

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For more on the history of the DESA case: http://www.cleanclothes.org/victory-for-workers-in-turkey