Tekel protests hit one-month mark, still going strong

Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Türk-İş) President Mustafa Kumlu, speaking at the Türk-İş headquarters in Ankara yesterday, called for a more democratic approach by the government in addressing the demands of the nearly 10,000 workers laid off from the privatized Tekel factories.

“We want more democracy in our nation. We want the right to organize and to strengthen our unions,” he said, adding that the protests had hit the one-month mark and that more Tekel workers were coming to Ankara daily to protest the decision. “I disapprove of a government that does not care about your calls. I can’t understand how they can go about their business ignoring you,” he added.

Kumlu revealed a list of workers’ demands at the protest, calling on the government to listen to the complaints of the laid-off Tekel workers, stop any kind of temporary worker system from going into effect, efficiently use unemployment security funds, stop unjust taxation, lift the barriers to organization under unions and work against the informal economy.

A sit-in in front of the Türk-İş headquarters that began yesterday is expected continue for three days, bringing in many Tekel workers from outside Ankara.