Constitutional Court protects teacher union rights in Turkey

The Constitutional Court has ruled that disciplinary penalties imposed on teachers for refusing to perform duty shifts during lunch breaks violate union rights. This decision follows a legal challenge by the Eğitim Sen union regarding teachers' refusal to work during breaks to ensure adequate time for basic needs such as eating and resting.

The Court determined that these actions are directly related to working conditions and fall within the core scope of union activities protected under Article 51 of the Constitution. Consequently, the Court ordered a retrial and the payment of non-pecuniary damages to the applicants to rectify the violation of their union rights.