Long hours, low wages and appalling conditions were the norm for DESA workers, until in April 2008 they decided to do something to try and change them. With the support of Deri Is (Leather Workers Union) DESA workers started to organise their own trade union in order to demand that things improve.

Since then the management at DESA has been running a campaign of harassment and intimidation against anyone they suspect of being a member of the union. From April to July 2009,  44 workers from the factory were dismissed and a further 55 were forced to resign from the union.

There are 1200 workers in DESA. The company has two factories in Düzce and Sefaköy and tanyard in Çorlu. Approximately 500 women employees work under harder conditions because they also have responsibilities at home.

According to DESA the staff turnover rate is extremely high: one look at the long hours and terrible conditions suffered by DESA workers gives us a clue to why.