Harassment at Work Has Legal Consequences

Assistant professor Lütfiye Bozdağ took up the fight against psychological harassment she experienced at her work place. Bozdağ was faculty member of the Painting Education Department of the Muğla University Faculty of Education on the south-west coast of Turkey. In 2007 her contract was not renewed after she had sent a letter about the situation to the jury members of the dean. Her return to work was delayed since the university resisted to the State Council's decision, which was taken in favour of Bozdağ.

Lawyer Metin İriz reports that they are expecting a decision from the administrative court to enforce the State Council's decision. İriz draws attention to the fact that the United Nations Convention for the Prevention of Torture defines 'harassment at work' as 'torture'. According to article 94 of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK), in the case of harassment at work a court case can be opened under charges of 'torture', İriz explains.

İriz told bianet that at present they are working out a report about Bozdağ's experiences. They are going to file a criminal complaint against the university administration, İriz reports.

Women launch signature campaign

Bozdağ gave a speech at the International Multidiciplinary Congress in Izmir on 14 October. She talked about her experiences of being systematically harassed at work. After cutting the connection to the university, Bozdağ experienced psychological effects of the harassment. Furthermore, due to the negative conclusions drawn by the rector, she was rejected by 8 universities she had applied to.

Bozdağ's experiences mobilized women organizations and feminists. The women launched a signature campaign to support Bozdağ and help her to return to work. In their text they state that "The lawlessness of the university's administration was settled by the State Council's decision".

Harassment at work

Bozdağ experienced harassment at work in several forms. She was called a 'communist' because she represented the Education and Science Workers Union (Eğitim-Sen), she constantly received official warnings for state servants from the dean and the administration openly declared that she "was doing her job deficiently". (ÖG/EÜ/VK)