Workers taste bitter repression at International Flavors & Fragrances in Turkey!

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a leading supplier of specialty ingredients to the global processed food industry, has responded to the organization of a union at its factory in Gebze, Turkey with mass dismissals. CLICK HERE TO TELL IFF TO STOP UNION-BUSTING!

The IUF-affiliated Tobacco, Drink, Food and Allied Workers' Union (Tekgida-Is) in Turkey organized workers at the Gebze factory last year and the Labour Ministry recognized the union as the bargaining unit on June 18, 2015. Workers formed a union in response to poor working conditions and there have been allegations of serious health and safety concerns. IFF challenged this decision at the local labour court and dismissed 30 workers between July and September for exercising their right to join a union. Following the dismissal of a prominent union supporter, Tekgida-Is organized a protest action in front of the factory gate and issued a press statement on September 7 calling on IFF to respect union rights and stop pressuring workers to resign from their union.

When two active union members were dismissed the following day, workers demonstrated in front of the factory gate. Management increased the pressure on workers to resign from the union and suspended production for 3 days from September 11 to September 13. When workers returned to work on September 14 they learned that 17 more workers were dismissed; 10 more workers were dismissed later in September.

In response to this clear attack on fundamental rights, workers continue their round the clock protest at the factory gate.

CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE to IFF, telling the company to immediately reinstate the 30 dismissed workers to their jobs, respect union rights and start negotiating with Tekgida-Is in good faith.