Abstract:

This article examines the approach of trade unions in Turkey to Syrian immigrant workers, their activities towards immigrants, their scope and qualities. In the study, first of all, the concept of trade union was briefly studied, pointed out what changes it has been through from birth to today. Then, referring to the literature that includes the trade union-immigrant workers relationship, information was given about Syrian immigrant workers in Turkey. The study also gathered information from the area by using a semi-built question paper with representatives of the workers’ unions at the confederation level and interviews with authorized persons from the organized unions in textile, construction, food, tourism occupations. The study revealed that some trade unions discussed the problems of immigrant workers and began to engage in some activities, though limited to immigrants. In addition, in Turkey for the first time in the world, a trade union has emerged under the name 'Migrant Union Initiative' which addresses only immigrants and defends the rights of immigrants as found in similar examples.