Labour Movement in Turkey (15 November - 15 December)

As the Turkish currency hits record lows, workers are raising their voices in the face of unemployment and poverty.

• Bakırköy Municipality workers continue with their strike. They oppose the imposition of a zero wage raise. Every Thursday, many municipality workers from various cities pay solidarity visits to the striking workers.  UİD-DER also stands in solidarity with the striking workers.  On November 27, UID-DER held a solidarity event in the picket area.
• DISK continues its campaign titled “Enough is enough, we cannot make a living!” with actions and rallies. On November 25-26, in various cities, workers protested austerity policies of the government.
• Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union (KESK) announced that it will hold demonstrations under the slogan “We cannot make a living! Stand together for a humane life and a budget in favour of labour and people!”
• On November 23, doctors from the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) started ‘‘White March’’ from Istanbul to Ankara. The march was concluded on 27 November with a press statement in front of the central office of TTB in Ankara.
• Health workers across Turkey took strike action against the inadequate wage increase and the discriminatory pay rise in public contacts.
• Enka sheet metal workers in Gebze thwarted the employer’s attempt to lock out and remove the molds from the workplace. Organised under Birleşik Metal-İş union, workers won their rights by resisting.
• Ankara Hacettepe University workers, Bel Karper strikers, Uğur and Özak Tekstil workers in Urfa carry on with their struggle.
• On 12 December, DİSK held a rally in Kartal Square, under the slogan “İstanbul speaks up: Enough is enough, we want to make a living.” Tens of thousands of workers chanted slogans against unemployment, poverty and low wages. Taking part in the rally, UID-DER called for the expansion of the labour front.
• Workers united will never be defeated!