A demonstration against the unsafe and unhealthy work conditions, recently brought to public attention again by the explosion of an illegal fireworks factory in Davutpasa, Istanbul, was joined by the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Trade Unions (DISK), the Confederation of Trade Unions for Public Employees (KESK), the Union of Turkish Physicians (TTB), the Union of Turkish Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB), the People’s Houses, the Revolutionary Workers’ Committees (DIK), Representatives of Workplaces in Topkapı, the Union for Struggle, the Platform for a Healthy and Safe Future for Everyone, and the Trade Union of Transport Workers.

"Authorities turn a blind eye" 

Kazim Mermer, secretary for the Coordination Board of Istanbul Professional Chambers (IMOKK), said that production involving explosive materials had to be carried out on special sites and with special licenses. The licensing and control of such production was the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior.

Mermer reminded the crowd that an explosion two years ago at a factory for sparklers in Ümraniye, Istanbul, where six workers died, had not been heeded as a warning: “Many workplaces have no licenses, but the municipalities, and authorities in the Ministries of the Interior and of Employment turn a blind eye and do not close them down.”

"Headscarf debate used to distract from these murders"

Süleyman Celebi, chair of DISK, said: “After the event, authorities cried crocodile’s tears and said they would ensure improvements. But yesterday another worker died at the Tuzla shipyard. These are not accidents, these are murders.”

Minister of Employment Faruk Celik had said after the explosion in Davutpasa, “If there had been a trade union, the workers would not have died.” Celebi reacted strongly: “Have they just woken up? Workers pay heavily enough for insisting on social security, and those who organize in trade unions are dismissed, just like those at Arcelik (a white goods company). They are trying to cover up the serious problems of unemployment and poverty in the country with debates about headscarves.”

“As long as the government, responsible ministers and local authorities sell this country as a paradise of cheap labour, and as long as they do not prevent these illegal, unsafe and unhealthy production sites, the murders will not stop.”

Arcelik workers lost work because of trade union membership 

Workers who had been dismissed from Arcelik for being members of trade unions also joined the protest. The demonstrators called for the resignation of the Minister of Employment, for social security, trade union rights and an 8-hour workday. (EZÖ/TK/AG)