Day: May 12, 2023

Two out of every three young women have faced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace in Britain, according to a survey.

But most victims do not report incidents for fear they will not be believed or that it might harm work relationships and career prospects, said UK umbrella labour organisation the Trades Union Congress [TUC] on Friday.

They released the results as part of a campaign to persuade Britain's government not to backtrack on new laws aimed at protecting workers from assault and harassment.

In its poll of 1,000 women, the TUC said that three out of every five reported such incidents at work -- but that climbed to two-thirds among those aged between 25 and 34 years.

According to the poll, younger women were particularly at risk of harassment, with over half of women aged between 18 to 34 saying they have experienced harassment at work.

The poll also found that less than one in three of women who say they experienced sexual harassment told their employers about it.

Most cases occurred on work premises but also happened via phone, text messages and emails, and via social media or virtual meetings.

And rather than being isolated incidents they were often repeated, the survey found.

Sabotage

The TUC says the new law protecting workers is being sabotaged by some lawmakers from the governing Conservative party.

The Worker Protection Bill, a private member’s bill put forward by Wera Hobhouse MP with ministers’ support, would introduce a new preventative duty on employers to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace.

"Every woman should be safe from sexual harassment but every day we hear stories about the extent of sexual harassment in our workplaces," said TUC general secretary Paul Nowak.

"We know many women in public-facing jobs -- like retail workers and GP receptionists -- suffer regular abuse from customers and patients.

"Sexual harassment and bullying have no place in modern workplaces."

He urged the ministers to ensure the bill passes in full or women will continue to suffer in work places.

“Ministers must urgently ensure this bill passes in full – or they will let down working women right across the country.”

Source: TRTworld.com

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the head of Türkiye’s main opposition party, has warned Russia against meddling in the country’s affairs just days before presidential and parliamentary elections, which will be held on May 14.

“Dear Russian friends,” Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), wrote on Twitter in Turkish and Russian on Thursday, “You are behind the montages, conspiracies, deep fakes and tapes that were exposed in this country yesterday,” he claimed without elaborating.

“If you want our friendship after May 15, get your hands off the Turkish state,” the politician warned, adding that he is “still in favor of cooperation and friendship” with Russia.

Kilicdaroglu is currently polling ahead of the incumbent, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has led the country since 2014 and served as prime minister for 11 years before that.

The opposition leader’s statement comes after another presidential candidate, Homeland Party head Muharrem Ince, dropped out of the race on Thursday, claiming a “defamation campaign” had been waged against him. According to Turkish media, Ince announced his decision after a video was leaked online allegedly showing him having an extramarital affair and riding in expensive cars.

“This is the work of the Gulenist Terror Group,” Ince said, referring to supporters of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the US.

Asked about the upcoming election in Türkiye last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow “never interferes in the domestic affairs” of other countries. Ankara is a buyer of Russian gas and arms, as well as a popular holiday spot among Russian tourists. The two countries enjoy close economic ties and have several joint projects, including in the field of nuclear energy.

Source: Russia Today

Just months after a devastating earthquake, and with millions suffering from an economy in dire straits, Turkish voters are deciding who should lead the pivotal NATO ally at the crossroads between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The outcome will reshape the political landscape in Turkey and beyond. For some, the choice is simple: between Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an empire-obsessed strongman who sneers at the democratic values Europe cherishes; and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a white-knight rival who vows to undo the damage and rescue Turkey's teetering relations with the EU. Others warn that such a depiction is far too simplistic, saying the devil is not in the details, but the entire picture.

From NATO to EU membership, from immigration to ties with Russia, breaking Europe's stalemate with Turkey may be much easier said than done. We delve into the issues at stake with two MEPs.

Source: France24.com

A candidate in Turkey's presidential election announced his withdrawal from the race Thursday, a move that's likely to benefit President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main challenger. The candidate who pulled out, Muharrem Ince, is the leader of the center-left Homeland Party. He was one of four contenders running in Sunday's presidential election. FRANCE 24's Jasper Mortimer reports.

Source: France24.com

Misinformation, deepfakes and fake news has been rife on social media in the runup to Turkey’s presidential election, amidst a tight duel between incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition Kemal Kiliçdaroglu. How has this affected the campaign, and how have Turkish fact-checking media Teyit handled this? Vedika Bahl explains in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Source: France24.com