Minister Işıkhan played a match with union representatives and members of the press.

29.04.2025 08:11

The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, played a football match on the turf with union representatives and members of the press as part of the events organized for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day.

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The Ministry of Labor and Social Security organized the '2nd Workers, Employers, and Public Employees Football Tournament' on May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day. In the tournament, which included the Hak-İş Confederation of Trade Unions (HAK-İŞ), the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions of Turkey (Kamu-Sen), the Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen of Turkey (TESK), the Confederation of Trade Unions of Turkey (TÜRK-İŞ), İŞKUR, SGK, and units of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Minister Işıkhan presented medals and the trophy to the SGK team, which came in first. After the football tournament themed 'The Sweat of Labor is Sacred', Minister Işıkhan held a friendly match among union leaders and members of the press. In his statements before the match, Işıkhan noted that they organized a football tournament again last year within the framework of May 1st and expressed their desire to make it a tradition.

"WE WILL BE ON THE SAME TEAM WITH THE UNIONS"

Işıkhan emphasized that May 1st is not only Labor and Solidarity Day but also a day to develop unity, brotherhood, and friendship, saying, "Today, our confederation presidents and union presidents are here. By the way, we will be on the same team with the unions, let me express that as well. We will have our football match with a group that includes journalists and the press. We hope to make this a tradition. God willing, we will hold this football tournament again next year."

"SOCIAL DIALOGUE IS VERY IMPORTANT"

Emphasizing the importance of social dialogue in working life, Işıkhan stated, "Social dialogue is very important. You are witnessing that we are trying to meet the demands of our workers and employers at the table. But on the field, as brothers, we hope to use the power that sports brings to have a beautiful football night."

HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan expressed that this unity achieved through sports is very valuable, saying, "Of course, all our problems will not be resolved in one match. However, experiencing a pleasant moment, even if it is for 1-2 hours, within all this struggle and putting sports forward as a symbol of our unity and solidarity is, in my opinion, very valuable. For this reason, I greet all workers from here, whether they are on the team or not. The match today is actually a preparatory match for us for May 1st. On May 1st, we will run more, walk more, and tire ourselves more. Today, we will do a small training for that. It is a nice feeling to be on the same team with the Minister. It is better to be together than to be opponents. There are members of the press on the opposing team. God willing, we will not lose to the press; we will win."

"WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM IN FOOTBALL, BUT NOT IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING"

Memur-Sen General President Ali Yalçın began his remarks by celebrating all workers on May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day. Yalçın reminded that the 8th Term Public Collective Bargaining negotiations will begin in August, saying, "We have our 8th Term Collective Bargaining in August. Therefore, as the Minister stated, we will be on the same team today, but that is only valid for today. It is not possible for us to be on the same team in collective bargaining because the Ministry is our employer. In the 8th Term Public Collective Bargaining, we will face each other and do our best to satisfy the workers. I hope that May 1st will pass in a festive atmosphere, away from tension and conflict, in friendship and brotherhood, and I want to show this as an exemplary organization."

THE RED TEAM LED BY IŞIKHAN WON

The Red Team, which included Minister Işıkhan and union presidents, defeated the Blue Team, which included members of the press, with a score of 8-4.