The delegation, including the president of DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions, Arzu Çerkezoğlu, was stopped by the army 7 km’s (5 miles) from the mine’s gates. The delegation also included the family members of the miners. They were not allowed further by the demand of the mine owners and participation of the business friendly AKP government.
The army prevents the union and family members visiting workers at a mine.
The delegation from the Labor Confederation DISK was prevented by the gendarmerie of the Turkish army from visiting the mines in Yenice, Çanakkale where the workers are on strike. The delegation and the family members of the miners who are on strike were turned away at an army checkpoint erected 7 km’s. from the mine.
The workers at a private mining corporation shut themselves in a mine on February 26, 2020 after 11 workers were fired and the wages were not paid by the company. The workers statement for this action explained, “We decided to stop work with our friends and co-workers 140 meters underground. We have also started a hunger strike. There is no job security with this corporation. An injured worker was taken to the hospital with a service vehicle because the officials said there was no ambulance available. We are demanding the company to provide for us, we demand to exercise our rights.”
The workers are still 140 meters (420 feet) under ground. Their communication with those above-ground was cut by the corporation after their strike started. The mine owners are trying to prevent any communication between workers, muzzle the voice, stop the spreading of the news and building of solidarity.
The delegation, including the president of DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions, Arzu Çerkezoğlu, was stopped by the army 7 km’s (5 miles) from the mine’s gates. The delegation also included the family members of the miners. They were not allowed further by the demand of the mine owners and participation of the business friendly AKP government.
Unable to approach the mine, the union delegation and the family members read the support statement at the army line. Arzu Çerkezoğlu said, “The resistance of the underground workers is not only the action of workers of this particular mine but is also the voice of all workers whose rights have been negated, whose wages have not been paid, the entire working class.”
A mother of a mine worker who was recruited to the military where service is mandatory in Turkey, protested that the corporation promised to pay her son’s due compensation in installments.
“They say they will pay the compensation in installments. What the hell is this? Are they buying a kitchen appliance? Don’t treat us like fools because we are peasants. This is a joke.”
Sendika.org News (M.B.)
