Turkey: Union groups accuse Deutsche Post DHL of labour abuse and union-busting
In November 2012 UNI Global Union (UNI) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) submitted a complaint against Deutsche Post DHL to the German Government alleging a breach of the OECD Guidelines. The complaint states that Deutsche Post DHL has "adopted a conscious strategy to limit unionisation" in its operations outside of Germany. The complaint details alleged abuses of freedom of association in Turkey and other countries, including: Indonesia, Malawi, Vietnam, Colombia, Guatemala, USA, Hong Kong, South Africa, Norway & Panama.
Below is a selection of news items and reports regarding Deutsche Post DHL's alleged anti-union activity including the OECD Guidelines complaint filed by UNI Global Union and the International Transport Workes' Federation.
Union groups accuse DHL of labor violations, Associated Press, 22 Nov 2012
Joint UNI-ITF release. The case against Deutsche Post–DHL: allegations of labour violation, UNI Global Union, Intl. Transport Workers’ Federation, 21 November 2012
Allegations of labour violations - the OECD case against DP-DHL, UNI Global Union, Intl. Transport Workers’ Federation, 21 November 2012
Aggressive and Unlawful: A Report into Deutsche Post DHL Operations in Turkey, John Logan, 10 September 2012
TÜMTİS DHL dispute factsheet, UNI Global Union, International Transport Workers’ Federation, Aug 2012
DHL respect workers' rights, stop union sacking in Turkey, Campaign website, UNI Global Union International Transport Workers’ Federation
respect@DHL website, Global Campaign
In December 2012 we invited Deutsche Post DHL to respond to the concerns raised in the above items.
Company response
Deutsche Post DHL response [PDF], 21 Dec 2012
Union rejoinder
In January 2013 we received a rejoinder to this response from UNI and ITF.
2nd company response
We invited Deutsche Post DHL to respond to the concerns raised in the union rejoinder.
Deutsche Post DHL response [DOC], 29 Jan 2013
2nd union rejoinder
In February 2013 we received a further rejoinder from UNI and ITF together with a January 2013 judgment from the Turkish Court of Labour. The unions state that the court handed down a written decision on 29 January 2013 declaring that two DHL workers were dismissed illegally by DHL because of their involvement in trade union activities.
Turkish Court of Labour judgment [DOC]
3rd company response
We invited Deutsche Post DHL to respond to the concerns raised in the rejoinder and court decision.
Deutsche Post DHL response [DOC], 26 Feb 2013