The broad-based campaign group Solidarity with the People of Turkey, based in Britain, raises its voice in support of the workers of Sırma Halı, and we protest strongly against the detention of leading trade unionist Mehmet Türkmen.
We urge all members and office holders in trade unions, civil society organisations, campaign groups, and democracy and human rights groups in Britain to urgently join in our calls for justice.
Sırma Halı is a carpet and yarn manufacturer operating in the Başpınar Organized Industrial Zone in Gaziantep. This factory is part of global supply chains producing goods for international markets.
On 8 March workers began protesting over important and basic grievances. According to workers:
● management regularly pays workers’ wages late
● overtime payments are not properly paid
● wage increases promised for 2026 have not been implemented
● management has not properly implemented key health and safety
After the protests began, at least 50 workers received dismissal messages under Code 22 of the Turkish labour regulations.
During the protests, BİRTEK-SEN union President Mehmet Türkmen publicly raised concerns about labour rights violations and workplace safety conditions in the Başpınar Organized Industrial Zone.
This was an entirely peaceful intervention, an example of normal trade union activity throughout the world.
But following a complaint from a factory owner, Mehmet Türkmen was taken into custody and subsequently arrested. The detention of a trade union leader for raising concerns about labour rights and workplace safety creates serious concerns regarding freedom of association and the protection of trade union activities.
We call for the immediate release of Mehmet Türkmen and the removal of all charges and accusations against him.
We further ask for action to ensure the speedy fulfilment of the workers’ entirely justified demands:
● reinstatement of dismissed workers
● removal of Code 22 dismissals
● timely payment of wages
● an end to continuous dismissals
The outcome of this case is a test for Turkey’s clam to be a democracy.
We stand with the heroic workers fighting for their rights and the trade union representatives they have chosen.
Immediate urgent action:
1. Send this statement, with your support to the Consulate General of Türkiye Londonconsulate.london@mfa.gov.tr
2. Urge your organisation to support this statement and to publicise this case to members.
3. Send a message of support to BIRTEK-SEN at birlesiktekstilsendikasi@gmail.com or via https://www.birteksen.org/contact
Further action:
●monitor labour rights violations at the Sırma Halı factory in Gaziantep
● contact international companies sourcing products from this facility and request clarification regarding labour conditions in their supply chains
● support the protection of workers’ freedom of association
● Support SPOT and its activities. Go to https://spotturkey.co.uk/get-involved/