Labour Movement in Turkey (15 February - 15 March 2023)

Tens of thousands of people died in Maraş-centered earthquakes. Millions were left devastated and homeless. They are mourning the loss of their relatives. But capitalists’ greed for profit knows no bounds. They are forcing the survivors to work, threatening them with dismissal!

Mil-May Textile workers in Antep were threatened with dismissal without compensation if they did not return to work. However, with the support of the Birtek-Sen union, the workers managed to make the boss step back.

Many workers were fired because they went to the earthquake zone to participate in the rescue efforts. These include Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant workers, teachers from private schools, LCW Warehouse workers and Mersin Suite Forum Hotel workers. Workers are fighting for their rights through protests and campaigns on social media.

Despite all the pressure, the MKS Transformer factory workers in Kocaeli Şekerpınar managed to unionise under Birleşik Metal-İş (United Metalworkers’ Union). The boss refused to recognize the union and started dismissals. Workers responded by going on strike.

In the Tuzla Free Trade Zone in Istanbul, more than 1000 workers at the Mata Automotive factory have been on strike since February 27. Their demands include health and safety measures, better working conditions and a wage increase. Mata workers, who are members of the Birleşik Metal-İş Union, started the resistance in front of the factory. On 6 March, they started picketing at the entrance of Tuzla Free Trade Zone. Many supporters are standing in solidarity on the picket line. These include members of Birleşik Metal-İş from other factories, socialist parties, democratic mass organizations, pro-labour deputies and the socialist workers' organization UID-DER.

On March 8, Mata workers celebrated International Working Women's Day on the picket line. UID-DER were on the picket line to stand in solidarity with the resisting workers.