TÜRK-İŞ experts convene for capacity-building on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
Training equips trade union experts with tools to respond to evolving world of work and promote decent, safe, and fair conditions for all.
30 October 2025
ANTALYA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), organized a two-day training for TÜRK-İŞ and its affiliated member unions’ experts focusing on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW). The event took place within the EU-funded project “Strengthening Social Partners and Civil Society Capacities on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.”
More than 60 experts from TÜRK-İŞ Confederation and its affiliated unions participated in the training, which focused on key thematic areas such as trade union organizing, collective bargaining, occupational safety and health, social security, and trade union revitalization. Participants actively engaged throughout the sessions, sharing their experiences and insights, which enriched the overall dialogue and learning environment.
The program combined lectures and discussions led by academics and senior union experts, concluding reflections on how trade unions can adapt to the changing world of work.
This activity builds on the previous ILO - TÜRK-İŞ training held in Ankara earlier in 2025 and will continue through follow-up actions under the EU-funded FPRW project, implemented by the ILO in partnership with social partners and civil society organizations.
The training brought together representatives from a wide range of sectors, including tourism, food, mining, construction, banking, maritime, forestry, media, printing, health, textile, metal, agriculture, energy, communications, and public services, reflecting the diverse composition of the Turkish labour movement.
Opening the program, Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Türkiye Office, underlined the shared responsibility of ILO members to promote and realize FPRW: freedom of association, the elimination of forced and child labour, non-discrimination in employment, and a safe and healthy working environment.
“These are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of social justice and the cornerstone of inclusive development,” said Hassan. “Training is essential for workers’ organizations to meet their responsibilities, especially as the world of work evolves faster than ever.”
Following Hassan, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay emphasized that ensuring safe and fair working conditions remains one of the most pressing challenges for workers in Türkiye. “A safe and fair working environment is not a privilege — it is a right that must be guaranteed for every worker,” he stated. Atalay noted that while Türkiye’s occupational safety and health legislation is among the most comprehensive globally, “many employers still see safety measures as a cost rather than an investment,” underscoring the need for stronger enforcement and a more effective inspection system. He also highlighted the obstacles faced by workers seeking to organize and called for legal reforms to strengthen freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.
On the sidelines of the training, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay and ILO Türkiye Director Yasser Hassan held a bilateral meeting, where they discussed the current situation of the world of work in Türkiye, as well as global challenges and opportunities affecting workers. Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening collaboration between ILO and TÜRK-İŞ to build a stronger foundation for social justice and decent work in the country.
Hassan also commended TÜRK-İŞ’s seven-decade contribution to advancing social dialogue and protecting workers’ rights in Türkiye.