3 Workers Killed in Istanbul’s 3rd Bridge Construction
3 construction workers lost their lives last night. They were constructing 3rd Bosphorus Bridge in İstanbul.
According to a report released by Worker Health and Work Security Assembly, at least 276 workers were killed from work-related injuries in the first three months of 2014.
At least 80 of them were construction workers. 7 construction workers died while they were working at the construction site of Istanbul’s 3rd Bridge in the first five days of April.
A landslide occurred when the viaduct’s capping beam opened as they were pouring concrete.
3 workers fell from 50 meters, trapped under the rubble. As a result of rescue efforts, the dead bodies of Lütfi Bulut (48), Yaşar Bulut (50) and Kahraman Baltaoğlu, a beginner worker were discovered.
The new bridge is constructed between Garipçe (a district in European Side of İstanbul) and Poyrazköy (a district in Anatolian Side of İstanbul) with “build-operate-transfer” model.
While he project is approved by General Directorate of Highways and Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications; the conductors were declared as Astaldi Joint Venture Company and İçtaş Construction, Industry and Trade Inc.
"A growth includes thousands of dead workers"
Worker Health and Work Security Assembly made a statement related to the subject and reminded that every day workers died in construction sector which is a leading sector of an emerging economy.
"PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inspected the 3rd Bridge and periphery roads above from a helicopter two days ago. Lütfi Elvan, Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication and Kadir Topbaş, elected as Metropolitan Municipality Mayor of İstanbul again accompanied him. As if we were living under the control of Middle Age’s tyrants.”
“The leading sector of New Turkey’s emerging economy has been the construction sector. This economic growth does not respect to nature, history and humanity. And this growth rises above the dead bodies and grief of many construction workers. The 3rd Bridge of İstanbul is an entity which contains thousands of dead workers behind the gilded buildings and shopping malls.”
"Offenders must be put on trial”
It was stated that the ones, responsible for the dead workers are the capital and Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Worker Health and Work Security Assembly demanded Transportation Minister Lütfi Elvan and Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbaş’s resignation. They urged that the offenders of dead workers must be put on trial.
"We pass through a period in which gilded buildings of construction companies are marketed on the TV and the government is seeking profit through the back door of urban renewal. In parallel with these things, the workplace mortalities will increase. The precautions of Worker Health and Safety must be taken. The lives of the workers cannot come after the economic policy." (NV/BD/BM)\
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.