Workers affiliated with Türk-İş, some members of political parties and civil society organizations supporting the workers gathered at the Ankara train station early yesterday. The group headed along Talat Paşa Street to Sıhhiye Square. Five hundred and sixty buses brought workers from across Turkey to Ankara for the demonstration, which started in Sıhhiye’s Abdi İpekçi Park.
Speaking at the demonstration, Türk-İş head Mustafa Kumlu thanked all the participants for supporting them despite the adverse weather conditions. “There are some who are disturbed by our demonstrations. Instead of being disturbed, bring solutions. We express our opinions and adopt a stance. What those governing the country need to do is lend us their ear and be sensitive concerning our demands. If they ignore them, the responsibility then belongs to those who insist on [repeating] their mistakes, not to the workers,” Kumlu said.
He also brought up the issue of the workers dismissed from Turkey’s alcohol and tobacco monopoly, Tekel, who have been protesting against the government. Members of the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions (DİSK), the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) and the Turkish Union of Engineers and Architects’ Chambers (TMMOB) as well as some student unions and women’s organizations also took part in the demonstration.
The participants held banners in protest of the government which read: “The victors will be the workers who stand firm” and “We will sell those who sell us.”
