Workers at the third Istanbul airport convey their demands for better working conditions, forcing the main contractor, the Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA), to heed their requests

Workers toiling on a construction site for Istanbul’s massive new airport have succeeded in forcing the contractor to improve conditions on the jobsite.

Those employed at the site recently marched to the camp administration building, shouting slogans of “We want to live like humans” and “Down with the enemies of the workers,” prompting gendarmerie officers to erect a barricade in front of the camp administration.

The workers subsequently issued a list of demands through a committee, including solutions to meal problems, bedbug issues, lack of hygiene in toilets and overcrowding in dormitories.

Camp chief threatens workers

The IGA’s camp chief initially threatened the workers, saying, “Return to your rooms; if you act like this, you all will live cramped in those rooms.”

The chief also issued a statement, saying, “The IGA’s administration does not know the reason for the increase in the number of people in the rooms; please return to your rooms.”

After the workers’ committee conveyed their demands, however, the IGA was forced to acquiesce to their request, promising to improve their conditions.

Earth-mover: “Deaths of 400 workers hidden”

The construction site has been described as a “graveyard” by workers, with the operator of one earth-moving truck alleging that the deaths of 400 workers at the site had been concealed from the public – usually through the provision of blood money to the families.

Workers also said they were being forced to hurry the construction and that there was a lack of work safety on the jobsite.

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