One step further on the struggle of TEKEL workers

New stage has started after the verdict of the State Council which was declared on Monday. 30 days time limit, which was given by the Turkish government to TEKEL workers to sign job contracts based on the 4-C law, was abolished by the verdict of the State Council.

The Leader of Tek Gıda-İş Union, Mustafa Türkel, declared that the tents, where the workers had been mounting guard for 77 days, would be started moving away and they would have a break for 15-20 days. He said thanks to the media workers, the local tradesmen, residents in Ankara and the workers of the Municipality who had supported the workers during the strike. He carried on his speech by adding that: “I am thankful for the countless unnamed heroes, who gave us blankets when we were in cold and shared their foods.” Mr. Türkel, emphasizing that Türk-İş, DİSK, KESK and KAMUSEN had tried to support the strike as much as they could, added that “These four confederations showed a good example on the struggle of labour class.”

Mr Türkel, indicating privatisation is despoilment, said that “privatisation is just another way of theft. There is no plants belonging to TEKEL any more. The President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sold all of them in order to fill deficit spending and he has insisted us to concede 4-C. He carried on his speech talking about the welcome perepared by AKP: “When we went to visit AKP, we faced police barricade and tanks. They could have listened to our problems and send us to our homes. They welcomed us with overreaction as if we were enemies.” He said their struggle philosopy was taking Gandhi as a model.

Mr. Türkel warned the governmet not to waste this break which will take 15-20 days. He emphasized that the voice of TEKEL worker would be heard all over Turkey and they would not let the members of the government walk comfortably on the streets. "The TEKEL worker will attend all the meeting of the President and the members of AKP. We will not give up the struggle as long as a monster like 4-C exists" he said.

After moving away the tents, TEKEL workers showed their pleasure to the local treadesmen in Sakarya Road and the residents of Ankara, who support the strike, by giving flowers. The local tradesmen replied to thanks of TEKEL workers by chanting “The tradesmen are proud of the TEKEL workers.”

(soL - Ankara)