The United Metal Workers’ Union is a member of the progressive confederation of labor unions, DISK, which is a staunch defender of workers’ rights as well as taking part in the daily class political struggle lead by workers’ class ideology
Economy is in a downward spiral in Turkey. However, those who are actually responsible for this downturn have their billions of US dollars stashed away in foreign banks ready to flee the country if push comes to shove.
But, what is the working class, that is the rest, the 99.9 percent, to do?
The bosses have decided that the cost of the economic crisis should be carried by those who are at the bottom of the ladder.
Zeytinoğlu, a group of investment and manufacturing corporations had declared bankruptcy under suspicious circumstances and the government led insurance agency had taken over its administration back in 2009. The brunt of these suspicious transactions and dealings had been carried by the workers whose wages and work had not been paid for quite some time.
Even though the businesses had been under stewardship of the government until the books and financial issues were resolved, the production continued as usual and the factories continued to produce and sell. The government turned the business over back to the owners last June when things seemed in order. However, due to being under heavy debt, the enterprise started to falter in its daily activities. The 500 workers whose wages had been withheld for the last 4 months of their employment then started a resistance action by setting up tents and round-the-clock picket line in front of the business in Eskişehir.
Yesterday, the president of the United Metal Workers’ Union Adnan Serdaroğlu brought the good news to the workers that the fight was over with the workers finally winning the struggle.
The United Metal Workers’ Union is a member of the progressive confederation of labor unions, DISK, which is a staunch defender of workers’ rights as well as taking part in the daily class political struggle lead by workers’ class ideology.
The workers were happy to hear that the government insurance agency had confiscated some assets of the business this time and was preparing to pay the due wages to the laborers from the planned selling of these assets.
The workers are expecting to get paid the 92.3% of what they had been owed. However, the payment to the workers will not wait for the assets to be liquidated and is payable immediately.
The 500 workers waiting for more than 4 months to get their due wages had tried marching to the capital, Ankara, last October, but the government police had prevented the march and had attacked the workers with tear gas and batons.
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