Turkish miners have resumed a hunger strike in Ankara to protest overdue wages, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. The miners, who traveled from the nearby province of Eskisehir, where they operate at a lignite coal mine supplying a thermal power plant, have held the protest for a week. Their attempts to secure a meeting at the Ministry of Energy have reportedly been unsuccessful.
On Monday, the eighth day of the hunger strike, the protestors were reportedly blocked in a park and dispersed using tear gas. The Independent Mining Workers Union reported that two members, including its President, Gokay Cakir, were arrested. The workers subsequently lay down on the asphalt, displaying signs with the slogan, “Fight for bread.” The union stated 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. 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 accumulated unpaid wages and compensation without resolution. This situation has generated significant public concern in Turkey, a nation where coal contributes roughly one-third of its electricity generation, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Furthermore, the miners’ cause has garnered public sympathy due to their documented assistance in rescue efforts in the region severely impacted by the 2023 earthquake.
Topics: #miners #hunger #strike
It’s concerning that miners are having to resort to a hunger strike over unpaid wages.
What specific actions are the miners demanding regarding their overdue wages?