Following the privatization of Tekel, Turkey’s alcohol and tobacco monopoly, workers dismissed due to the buyout started to protest in Ankara on Dec. 15, demanding that the government find them positions in other public institutions while preserving their employee rights, including severance pay and annual leave.
Speaking to Bugün in Ankara on Tuesday, Türkel said Tekel workers would accept the wages stipulated in an Article 4/C of Law No. 657 -- which provides 11 months of temporary employment for workers dismissed from public institutions that have undergone privatization -- program; however, they would not accept temporary employment. The government had increased the salaries of workers to be employed under 4/C by TL 115 at the beginning of the year, raising the lowest salary to TL 722, while the highest amount paid to 4/C workers increased to TL 938 per month. The Finance Ministry is expected to produce separate proposals for a second hike shortly.
Türkel’s remarks followed a similar statement by the union’s general secretary, Macit Amaç, who, during a demonstration on Tuesday, said Tekel workers would be convinced to return home if the government agrees to transfer them to other public institutions, adding they were also ready to give up some of their employee rights. Observers argued the union’s declarations could be interpreted as a way forward to reach a solution; however, the outcome of the impasse remains uncertain. “Tekel workers are ready to be employed in any public institution as directed by the government. They are also ready to work for a lower salary than they used to,” Türkel said. Asked why Tekel workers did not want to move to the private sector, Türkel recalled that, following the privatization of Tekel, some 180 employees were hired by a private company in Tokat. “However, our friends lost their jobs shortly afterwards,” he said.
Female Tekel workers seek Emine Erdoğan’s support
A group of female Tekel workers paid a visit to Emine Erdoğan, the wife of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, yesterday. PM himself also participated in the meeting. On the 58th day of their protest, a group of female Tekel workers went to the Erdoğan residence to explain their problems and request help from the prime minister’s wife. The group was stopped by security forces in front of the residence. The police officers conveyed the request of the group to Erdoğan. After three hours, Müzeyyen Ermin and Arife Güneş, two representatives from the group, entered the residence to talk to Erdoğan. Following the talk, the women told reporters that they had a positive discussion with the prime minister’s wife.
