Protesters gather against mistreatment of Philip Morris factory workers in Turkey

WORKERS gathered outside the Philip Morris International headquarters in London today to protest against the company’s mistreatment of factory employees in Turkey.

About 120 workers at the company’s Marlboro cigarette factory in Izmir, Turkey, have been dismissed for being members of the Disk union, including four committee members for engaging in union organising.

The union has tried to contact Philip Morris officials in Turkey and Europe but has received no response.

Workers have also reported bullying by management such as having their access to toilets and clean drinking water restricted and being brought into “intimidation” rooms for individual meetings.

The protest outside the company’s London headquarters in Hammersmith, organised by Solidarity with the People of Turkey (Spot) and supported by the National Shop Stewards Network, called on Philip Morris to listen to the workers’ demands, including the reinstatement of the dismissed workers and fair wage increases.

Spot spokesman Arif Bektas told the Star: “The workers’ demands are very clear and are economic, democratic and legitimate humanitarian rights.

“Trade unionism is under fierce attack in Britain, so the movement here knows exactly how important it is to stand up for workers’ rights to take collective bargaining action.

“We are urging trade unions and campaigners to speak out about the injustice facing Marlboro factory workers in Turkey by writing to Philip Morris and sending solidarity messages to Disk.”

Spot will be having its annual conference in London on October 29, where they will hear from trade unionists in Britain and Turkey on the need for international solidarity.

Details can be found on Eventbrite.

Philip Morris was approached for comment.