3,544 Workers Infected with Covid-19 in İstanbul, Says Labor Unions’ Platform

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The İstanbul Labor Union Branches' Platform (İŞSP) has released a statement regarding the May 1 Labor Day. Holding an online statement for the press, the platform has also shared information about the number of workers who have contracted novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in İstanbul.

Speaking on behalf of the platform, İŞSP Term Spokesperson Sinan Ceviz has briefly stated the following:

"According to the information that we can obtain and verify, 3,544 workers have so far contracted the virus in the city while 2,902 workers suspected to get infected are in quarantine, waiting for their test results. The number of our fellow workers who have lost their lives has become 34.

"Ahead of May 1, 'We don't want to die' has become our most urgent request. It has taken on a vital importance that all workers at workplaces with positive cases be tested and widespread testing be adopted. While a curfew is in effect at this very moment, several workplaces are still operating.

'Our requests are not met'

"Despite the calls to 'halt operations in all workplaces except for the urgent ones,' we have seen that several factories and workplaces continue operating even during a general curfew. Workers are made to work, especially in Tuzla shipyards and construction sites.

"Though the authorities are called on to support workers and laborers during the pandemic with such measures as paid leaves, abolishment of taxes from wages, a decrease in the prices of basic consumption goods and provision of basic needs such as natural gas, water and electricity free of charge, these requests have not been met by the executives."

'Workers are condemned to unemployment'

Concluding his remarks, Ceviz has noted that workers have been "condemned to unpaid leave and unemployment" with a daily allowance of 39 TRY to be paid from the unemployment insurance fund.

As a last word, Ceviz has called on everyone to join the May Day celebrations by taking to their balconies at an hour to be specified by the labor union confederations. (RT/SD)