By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation – Africa (ITUC-Africa) has expressed dismay over the failure of Yapi Merkezi, the Turkish company handling the railway project in Tanzania, to quickly resolve the concerns of its Turkish workers who have been on strike since August 5.
The migrant construction workers from Turkey who are working on the Tanzania Railways project, have downed tools since August 5, to protest non-payment of salary for seven months.
“ITUC-Africa notes that the situation the Turkish workers face in Tanzania is a glaring example of one of the abuses that migrant workers face wherever they live and work,” Kwasi Adu-Amankwah ITUC-Africa General Secretary said in a statement on Wednesday from its Togo office.
He noted that the regional organisation stands in solidarity with the Turkish construction workers employed by Yapt Merkezi in Tanzania.
The company is accused of being notorious for usurping workers’ rights. The workers say that they have had enough of it.
But ITUC-Africa urged Yapi Merkezi and the relevant authorities in Tanzania to immediately open meaningful dialogue with the striking workers and their representatives to find a swift and equitable solution to this pressing issue.
Adu-Amankwah said further that despite the challenging conditions these workers have been enduring, they have been comporting themselves peacefully and ready to engage in genuine negotiation.
“The fundamental rights of workers, regardless of their nationality or race, are paramount and must be respected in law and practice,” he said.
He noted further that “Workers’ rights are human rights, and the dignity of labour must be upheld in all circumstances. ITUC-Africa reiterates its unwavering commitment to defending workers’ rights across the African continent and beyond. We stand united with the Turkish construction workers in their quest for fairness and justice.
“We affirm that the demands and concessions put forth by the striking workers to their employer, including the payment of four months’ worth of salaries and a commitment to subsequent regular payments, are well-founded and legitimate. We, therefore, call on the management of Yapi Merkezi Construction to address their grievances without further delay.”