Kazova Factory to Make Jerseys for Cuba, Basque Country

While Kazova workers have decided to open their own factory, they will be producing jerseys for Cuba and Basque Country soccer teams for the upcoming friendly game in Havana on February 15. “Kozova workers don’t want to leave soccer to the soccer industry. They want to create ties between resistance and soccer,” Metin Yeğin told bianet. 

“They will also wear these jerseys on other games as well,” Yeğin said. He actively took action to bring together Kazova workers and Cuba, Basque Country soccer teams. 

çArşı and Sol Açık: Why not for us?

Metin Yeğin continued that Kazova workers are preparing to release the jerseys for purchase in Turkey as well. 

“The forms of resistance will suit very nicely to both soccer players and fans. In the future, Kazova workers might also produce jerseys for soccer fan groups like çArşı and Sol Açık. Why not? 

Mutual solidarity 

Metin Yeğin expressed the geste of Cuba and Basque Countries as a sign of mutual solidarity.  “There are no big corporations behind Kazova workers. There is a global solidarity of workers here. Making jerseys for Cuba is also a geste of solidarity to a country facing embargoes. This way, Kazova factory will have a worldwide showcase.” 

Opening on Saturday 

With their slogan “Affordable sweaters for the people” Kazova workers are opening their first retail store and alternative center. An appeal has been made to meet on Saturday at 3:30pm local time in Şişli Mosque and march to the store.  

Resistance took 10 months 

Kazova workers declared that they would celebrate their victory on November 10 after a 10 month long struggle against their factory owners. 

Struggling for the past 10 months over their factory by occupying premisses, Kazova workers finally declared their victory after a court ruled that their former employers  Ümit Somuncu and Mustafa Umut Somuncu will hand them their machines in return to their unpaid salaries

What happened before? 

Shut down 7 months ago, Kazova Factory left 94 workers unemployed with no repartitions or deserved wages. Factory owners Ümit Somuncu and Mustafa Umut Somuncu vanished over a night after filling out the most equipment in the facility. 11 factory workers have been resisting ever since by setting up their tents in front of the factory. 

They also attended group protests on every Saturday, marching in downtown Istanbul with other workers who demand their deserved rights and wages. 

However, everything changes on May 1. Police broke up their demonstration with tear gas and water cannons. On June 28, they have occupied their factory with “a strength that Gezi Resistance bolstered them”. (AS/BM)