A delegation of miners from Soma, Turkey visited the WFTU HQ today, September 17th 2014. The delegation was composed by Tahir Cetin and Ercan Cetinyilmaz and they were accompanied by Sinem Demirer, labor lawyer.
The workers from Soma mines held a meeting with WFTU General Secretary George Mavrikos and informed the WFTU about the efforts and struggles of the workers and people of Soma after the mine tragedy that left (by official records) 301 workers dead. From his side, the WFTU General Secretary expressed the full class solidarity of the WFTU with the struggle of the workers in Soma and their efforts to organize and demand justice for the crime in Soma, modern and adequate health and safety measures and dignified working and living conditions.
The two sides discussed about possible ways the WFTU can support the workers’ struggle and spread international solidarity with the workers and the population of Soma.
The Soma mine tragedy -a crime against the working class of Turkey- happened on May 13th 2014 and left (by official figures) 301 workers dead, because of the criminal lack of health and safety measures. From the first moment the WFTU has stood by the side of the workers and people of Turkey, organizing solidarity visits, a big solidarity conference in Istanbul in June 2014 and spreading international workers solidarity through the WFTU affiliated unions all over the world.