The WFTU denounces the policy of the mine-owners in Turkey to dismiss more than 5,000 workers countering the newly voted bill to improve the safety measures in the mines and the rights of the mineworkers.
After the tragic criminal accident in Soma, Turkey last May, after years of workers struggles and with Turkey having the 3rd worst rank in workers safety (according to the ILO), the new bill plans to reduce the working hours from 48 to 30 per week for the mineworkers, impose a series of basic safety measures at the mines and improves working rights. As a countermove the 37 Mining Companies claim to have ceased their operation, dismissing more than 5,000 workers.
The World Federation of Trade Unions representing 90 million workers in 126 countries denounces the blackmails of the mine-owners aiming to force the working people under the fear of unemployment to ask for the withdrawal of the legislation, putting their safety second to the capitalists’ profits. Private companies are also appearing to put pressure to the State, thus the taxpayers, to grant them extra subsidies in order to fulfill the alleged “loss” of profits.
The WFTU expresses its solidarity to the mineworkers and the working people of Turkey and stands on their side to continue their struggle for better working and living conditions despite the tactics of the mine-owners.
There is no development without the workers. Their safety is not an extra cost it is a precondition.