“Forum on Representation and Organization of Women and LGBTI+ in Trade Unions” was held

08/05/2024 | Writer: Gül Yalçın

In the event moderated by Necla Akgökçe, Özge Yurttaş, Former General Secretary of Basın-İş (UNI Graphical and Packaging affiliate) and Seçin Tuncel from Kaos GL Trade Union Working Group took part as speakers.

Photograph: Bahar Gök

“Forum on Representation and Organization of Women and LGBTI+ in Trade Unions” was held on May 5th, in Ankara.

Necla Akgökçe from Kadın İşçi (Women Worker’s Solidarity Association) moderated the Forum on Representation and Organization of Women and LGBTI+ in Trade Unions. Özge Yurttaş, former General Secretary of Basın-İş, and Seçin Tuncel from the Kaos GL Trade Union Working Group revisited discussions on representation and trade union rights. Yurttaş highlighted the Novamed Strike of 2006-2007, marked by the powerful slogans “don't touch my labor, my body, my identity,” as well as the noteworthy solidarity demonstrated by Petrol-İş (Petroleum, Chemical and Rubber Workers Union) organization. She also shed light on feminist perspectives regarding the social security system, citing the 2008 Taksim sit-in against precarious labor conditions. Yurttaş also emphasized that the politics of representation remains ineffective unless women exercise their free will and directly engage in democracy with decision-making responsibilities.

Highlighting the rejection of the proposal to formally include the women’s coalition, which previously existed de facto in Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), Yurttaş reiterated that despite women being predominantly unregistered and in precarious employment, and forming the majority in the health and service sectors, decision-making power in union organization remains in the hands of men.

Yurttaş highlighted that one of the reasons for the insufficient organization among women within Turkish trade unions is the disconnect between the private sphere of the women's movement and the realm of paid labor:

“The right to organize in trade unions has been made accessible to women who either do not have children or who are not burdened with domestic care responsibilities.”

“Data on discriminatory practices faced by LGBTI+s cannot be documented due to its unregistered nature”

On the other hand, Tuncel highlighted that data concerning the discrimination faced by LGBTI+ people, particularly in sectors like sex work, cannot be documented due to its unregistered nature within the realm of invisible labor. Tuncel also pointed out that the burden of care in unregistered sectors is often placed on LGBTI+ individuals, primarily because they are perceived as single and without children, referencing the findings from the 2023 Study on the Status of LGBTI+ Employees in Turkey’s Private Sector and Public Sector conducted by Kaos GL.

Tuncel proposed the continuous act of refreshing collective memory to avoid being swept away by the currents of hate speech. Emphasizing the significance of who writes history and how it’s written, Tuncel underscored the importance of marginalized communities writing their own narratives. Tuncel pointed to the history that has unfolded since the Stonewall Rebellion as an example of this empowerment in storytelling.

Tuncel underscored the potential of solidarity in the struggle for rights, citing instances such as the Green Left Party’s support for sex workers who went on strike in Gezi Park on April 27, 1987, and Pink Life's support for the Tekel Resistance, illustrating the alliance between sex workers and monopoly workers.

Additionally, Tuncel highlighted two critical issues concerning hate speech. Drawing from data in the sample group of the Public-Private Sector reports, Tuncel noted that the absence of empowering mechanisms in workplaces and trade unions discourages individuals from reporting discrimination based on sexual orientation and identity. This reluctance stems from the fear of further victimization if they speak out.

Tuncel emphasized that individuals experiencing discrimination and hate speech in their professional lives may suffer from depression, even if they are not open about their identities and cannot access support mechanisms. Referring to the Kaos GL Human Rights Report from 2011, Tuncel underscored the importance of this publication in shedding light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people. Tuncel also noted that the comprehensive “Human Rights Report of Lesbian*s,” first published in its most detailed form in 2024, is a testament to a history shaped by solidarity.

Translation: Selma Koçak

Tags: human rights, women