Labour Movement in Turkey This Month (20 January - 20 February)

Having started in mid-January, workers’ protests against the inadequate wage hikes are spreading. In January 2022, annual inflation rate in Turkey rose to 115%. While the capitalist class is breaking new records in profitability, the working class of Turkey in its entirety is sinking deeper into poverty. The recently announced minimum wage stands at the hunger threshold. The cost of living has reached unbearable levels. However, bosses offered wage hikes that are far below the real inflation. Hence, workers lost their patience and protests broke out all over Turkey. They took strike actions in many sectors such as metal, transportation, textile, mining, food, ship building, construction, logistics and education. They are being joined by new groups each day.

Having started in mid-January, workers’ protests against the inadequate wage hikes are spreading. In January 2022, annual inflation rate in Turkey rose to 115%. While the capitalist class is breaking new records in profitability, the working class of Turkey in its entirety is sinking deeper into poverty. The recently announced minimum wage stands at the hunger threshold. The cost of living has reached unbearable levels. However, bosses offered wage hikes that are far below the real inflation. Hence, workers lost their patience and protests broke out all over Turkey. They took strike actions in many sectors such as metal, transportation, textile, mining, food, ship building, construction, logistics and education. They are being joined by new groups each day.

In January, Mersin Çimsataş workers, who demanded revision of the contract, occupied the factory in order to obtain an additional pay raise. They were followed by 600 iron miners who took action at Çiftay Mining in Sivas.

In Gebze, the Farplas workers stopped working to protest low wages and got organized under Birleşik Metal-İş Union. Farplas management broke its promise and laid off 200 workers. Farplas workers, who occupied the factory, were taken into custody through police violence. The dismissed workers continue picketing in front of the factory.

Organized under Birleşik Metal-İş union, workers from Voestalpine, Kıraç Metal and Aryıldız factories stopped production against dismissals and suppressing of union rights. The workers made the bosses take a step back.

Trendyol Express couriers took a strike action against low pay increases and they won. This success triggered new actions in the transportation sector and thousands of workers stopped working to protest low raises in many workplaces one after the other. At Yemeksepeti (online food ordering system), couriers continue their actions all over Turkey. Workers demand an end to self-employed courier system and the obstacles to unionization. They also want higher wages.

Migros workers in the Esenyurt and Bayrampaşa warehouses took strike action against poor working conditions and 8% wage increase. In Esenyurt Warehouse they were arrested. Since they were released, they have been picketing in front of the warehouse led by their union DGD-SEN. The workers made a press statement in front of the central office of the Anadolu Group owned by Tuncay Özhilhan who also owns Migros. Workers went also in front of TÜSİAD, the biggest boss organisation of Turkey. On February 18, the police attacked the workers who attempted at picketing in front of Tuncay Özilhan’s villa to make their demands heard. Almost 100 workers were taken into custody. Despite all the pressure and attacks, the workers are determined in the struggle. There are cash-locking actions in Migros stores across Turkey in support of Migros Warehouse workers. Workers are calling for a boycott of Migros.

Part of the wave of workers actions is taking place in socks factories. 2,000 workers from Alpin Çorap factory went on strike and they achieved their demands. After this victory, thousands of workers in more than 10 socks factories stopped working to obtain higher wages. In some factories, workers made gains, while in some others, bosses responded with dismissal. The dismissed workers continue picketing. There is no union organisation in the socks industry. The recent struggle against low wages has encouraged the workers to unionize.

In Antep, where textile industry occupies a leading role, the bosses surpassed 10 billion dollars in exports in 2021. And they entered 2022 with historic records in profits in terms of the entire Republican era. Taking advantage of the disorganised state of the workers, they announced poor wage hikes. This led to a continuing wave of work stoppages by workers in more than 20 factories in textile, weaving and carpet industry. Just like in the socks industry, unionization is gaining ground in the textile industry in Gaziantep.

Hundreds of workers working in different companies at the ship dismantling facilities in İzmir Aliağa shipyard took strike action. Demanding wage increases, measures for work safety, workers continue their protest with enthusiasm.

Workers’ protests are ranging from fast food workers to truck drivers, from construction workers to healthcare workers. Alongside these workers’ actions there are also protests against new price hikes in energy. The cost of living in Turkey has exhausted the patience of not only workers, but also tradesmen and farmers. In many cities, protests broke out against electricity bills and the cost of living.

The wave of workers’ protests is important as they show that the accumulated discontent and anger are starting to emerge. It also shows the power of the working class. In order for the working class to succeed against the attacks of the capitalist class and the regime, it is indispensable for it to strengthen its organisation at all levels. Workers, students, labouring women, pensioners… All sections of the working class must come together and act in solidarity. The working class can be an effective political force and intervene in the course of events in only when it gets organised and strengthen the organised front of labour.