Trade Unions Announce Boycott of Ektam Products After Employee Dismissals

A labor dispute is escalating in the TRNC around the company Ektam. After workers who joined the Emek-İş union (part of Dev-İş) were suspended from work, several union organizations announced a boycott of the company’s products.

Strong statements were made by KTAMS, DAÜ-SEN, and TIP-İŞ. They condemned the dismissals and called the employer’s actions a violation of the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining.

KTAMS Chairman Güven Bengihan stated that until an agreement with the workers is reached, the union urges citizens to refrain from buying Ektam products. According to him, dismissing employees for defending their legal rights is unacceptable.

DAÜ-SEN also called on the company management for immediate dialogue, emphasizing that a collective labor agreement is the foundation of modern labor law. The organization noted that resolving the conflict is possible only through negotiations, not through pressure.

TIP-İŞ expressed solidarity with the workers, stressing that the fight for decent working conditions and guaranteed employment is not only an issue for a single company, but a principled stance for protecting labor rights in the country.

The unions stated that they will continue solidarity actions until the situation is resolved and the workers return to their duties under fair conditions.