-January 19 2006- Refering to the closure of TEKEL plants in Adana and Malatya, the administrative committee of Türk-İş, the largest worker confederation in Turkey said, “The closure of these enterprises will cause new social pain and sorrows”. Tekel is a state monopoly producing spirits and tobacco products. A statement released by the committee said, […]
-January 19 2006-
Refering to the closure of TEKEL plants in Adana and Malatya, the administrative committee of Türk-İş, the largest worker confederation in Turkey said, “The closure of these enterprises will cause new social pain and sorrows”. Tekel is a state monopoly producing spirits and tobacco products.
A statement released by the committee said, “Since the time Tekel plants were included in the IMF dictated privatisation program, they have been neglected and left without funds. They are sacrificed to open the market, worth billions of dollars, to the international corporations.”
Because of the efforts of the bureaucrats in charge of privatisation who see themselves above public opinion and serve market interests, hundreds of thousands of workers and growers will be left to their fate. The statement also pointed out that most of these plants are located in the underdeveloped regions of Eastern and Southeastern Turkey and their closure will result in endless suffering.
The workers of Tekgıda-İş (foodstuffs union affiliated to Türk-İş) have been resisting “this unfair and wrong decision”. Claiming their work, work place and country, the TEKEL workers have refused to leave the worksite and have asked the public for sensitivity and awareness.
The statement also asked all who claimed their land and opposed the handover of national wealth to international monopolies to back the workers and join the struggle. “Our Administrative Committee asks the government and the bureaucrats of privatisation to reconsider their decision and the people to be sensitive to this sacred struggle. Türk-İş with all its strength is on the side of the TEKEL workers and will defend oue national wealth”
Source: SESONLINE
E.K.