Dismissals at Atlas Denim, Turkey - 2024
Atlas Denim dismissed eight workers after they became union members. The Atlas Denim United Textile, Weaving and Leather Workers' Union (BİRTEK-SEN) issued a press statement in front of the factory to protest against these dismissals, arguing that these dismissals show union busting of the factories management. In the press statement, which was also attended by the dismissed workers, they called on workers to unite against the boss's anti-union practices. BİRTEK-SEN lawyer Tugay Bek made a statement in front of the factory and called on workers to protect their union rights and join the union. Bek explained that the workers became members of BİRTEK-SEN to fight against the appropriation of labour at minimum wage level and severe working conditions, bullying, pressure, seniority, termination compensation and paid annual leave. Bek invited the workers to become members of BİRTEK-SEN in order to achieve the return of the dismissed workers, the right to a union, which is a constitutional right, as well as the right to decent working conditions and the right to a wage sufficient for a decent life, saying, "If all the workers unite, the bosses here can't do anything, friends." The chairman of BİRTEK-SEN, Mehmet Türkmen, stated that unjustified dismissals at Atlas Denim are nothing new: "It is known to all workers that this factory has low wages, labour accidents, occupational health and safety measures, slavery and miserable conditions for workers. But this factory boasts on its website and in the texts introducing itself about the large investments it has made. The introductory texts mention that freedom of organisation and the right to organise are respected in this factory. Because they produce for international companies". Türkmen stated that they will not leave the factory until the workers get their rights, until the dismissed workers are reinstated, until the unlawful behaviour in the factory stops, until an order is established in which the workers work in decent working conditions and receive a wage that allows them to live a decent life, and said, "We call on the workers of Atlas benim to unite. They have thrown these workers out to intimidate you."
Basic Information
Case ID: 2024-001
Identification Number from Open Supply Hub (OS-ID): TR20203519H2TKW
Affected Country: Turkey
Date of occurrence: 2024-05-04
Social Sector Risks concerned:
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining (Conventions Nr. 11 & 87 & 98 & 135 & 141 & 154; Recommendations Nr. 91 & 143)
- Dismissals / factory closures
Supplier Details
ATLAS DENIM MILLS
Istanbul Ofis: Mehmet Nezihi Özmen Mah. Fatih Cad. Limon Sok. No:5/B Merter /
Güngören/ISTANBUL
34173
Turkey
Phone
(+90) 212 527 3800
Production Site
ATLAS DENIM MILLS
Hacı Sabancı Org. San. Böl. Acıdere OSB Mah. Misis Cad. No:11 Sarıçam
Sarıçam / ADANA
ADANA
Turkey
Known certifications:
Source of information about certifications:
https://www.atlasdenim.com.tr/en/corporate/certificates/
Phone number of production site: (+90) 322 359 75 06
Total number of workers/employees:
No information
No gender specific information available.
Workers movement
There are unions active.
Name(s) of union(s) :
BIRTEK-SEN
Source of information about unions:
https://www.evrensel.net/haber/517599/birtek-sen-8-uyesinin-atildigi-atlas-denim-onunde-iscileri-sendikalasmaya-cagirdi
No information about workers commitee available.
Business Relations
Known Buyer/Brands:
- Mango Deutschland GmbH
- River Island Holdings Limited
At least one of the buyers has the duty to report according to the Supply Chain Act / CSDDD.
Known business relationship to factory:
Tier 2 to River Island
Follow up
Are there any reactions to the follow up: no information
Sources
Name of reporting organisation: BIRTEK-SEN
Source of information about the case:
Contributor: SÜDWIND
- Last updated on .