Read the Initial Assessment published 23 September 2021: English
Read the Final Statement published 22 December 2022: English
On 11 January 2021, the Turkish Metal Workers Union, BİRLESİK METAL-İŞ, submitted a specific instance alleging that Systemair AB, a ventilation equipment manufacturer headquatered in Sweden, and specifically Systemair AB’s Turkish subsidiary, Systemair HSK, had not observed the Concepts and Principles (Chapter I), General Policies (Chapter II), Human Rights (Chapter IV), and Employment and Industrial Relations (Chapter V) provisions of the Guidelines regarding manufacturing activities in the Gebze district of Turkey. Specifically, the issues relate the reclassification of employees from administrative to manufacturing, putting members of the union on unpaid leave, restricting the movements of workers during protests, and dismissing union members. Systemair HSK has also began parallel legal proceedings regarding the issues.
On 23 September 2021, the NCP decided to accept the case for further consideration and issued an initial assessment statement. The case was handled with support from the Turkish NCP at the request of the submitter.
The NCP offered its good offices to the parties involved at the beginning of 2022. Despite engagement from both parties, the good offices did not result in any agreement. The NCP published a final statement on 22 December 2022 concluding the case without agreement between the parties. The Swedish NCP issued recommendations, such as for the company to use its leverage on its Turkish subsidiary to strengthen due diligence in the company and ensure respect for employee decisions, compliance with all legal decisions following the closure of related parallel proceedings, and improved social dialogue between the parties.
A follow-up is planned for 2023.