Turkish miners have initiated a hunger strike in Ankara to protest overdue wages, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. The group of miners traveled from Eskisehir, where they are employed at a lignite coal mine supplying a thermal power plant. For a week, the miners have attempted to secure a meeting with the Ministry of Energy, but their efforts have been unsuccessful.
On Monday, the eighth day of the hunger strike, the miners were reportedly blocked in a park and dispersed using tear gas. The Independent Mining Workers Union stated that two members, including President Gokay Cakir, were arrested. The workers eventually resorted to lying on the asphalt, displaying signs with the slogan, “Fight for bread.” The union claims that the miners have not received payment for six months.
The group arrived in Ankara on April 20 after walking approximately 180 kilometers over nine days to voice their grievances. According to the union, the company that assumed control of the mine and power plant in 2022 has either laid off or placed hundreds of employees on unpaid leave, resulting in accumulated unpaid wages and compensation. The miners’ plight has generated significant public concern in Turkey, a nation where coal contributes about one-third of the electricity supply, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Furthermore, the miners’ cause has garnered public support due to their assistance during the 2023 earthquake relief efforts in the affected region.
Topics: #miners #hunger #strike
It’s concerning that miners have resorted to a hunger strike over unpaid wages.