Turkish miners have initiated another hunger strike in Ankara to protest the delay in receiving their wages, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. The miners, who traveled from Eskisehir province where they work at a lignite coal mine supplying a thermal power plant, have spent a week attempting to secure a meeting with the Ministry of Energy. On Monday, the eighth day of their hunger strike, the protesters were reportedly blocked in a park and dispersed using tear gas.
The Independent Mining Workers Union stated that two of its members, including President Gokay Cakir, were arrested. The workers ultimately resorted to lying on the asphalt near their helmets, chanting the slogan, “Fight for bread.” They report having gone unpaid for a period of six months. The group reached Ankara on April 20 after completing an 180-kilometer march over nine days to voice their grievances.
The union claims that 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, leading to an accumulation of unresolved wage arrears and compensation claims. The situation has generated considerable public concern in Turkey, a nation where coal contributes approximately one-third of its electricity generation, according to the Ministry of Energy. Furthermore, the cause of the miners has garnered public support due to the workers’ documented assistance in rescue operations in the region severely affected by the 2023 earthquake, as noted by AFP.
Topics: #miners #hunger #strike
Turkish miners have commenced a hunger strike in Ankara to protest delayed wage payments, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. The striking miners traveled from Eskisehir province, where
What specific steps are being taken by authorities to resolve the miners’ wage dispute?