Employer signed labor contract when workers’ representative was in detention

* Photo: Cem Türkel

Click to read the article in Turkish

After the labor contract negotiations between agricultural workers and employers failed, Abdülselam Kutlu, the Chair of the Mersin Precarious Workers' Association, was taken into custody as he called on the workers to halt work in protest of their low daily wages until their conditions are met.

When he was still in custody, the employer signed the labor contract foreseeing lower wages than the ones demanded by the workers.

Speaking to bianet, Sebahat Gençtarih, the attorney of Kutlu, has shared the following details about the proceedings:

"Workers demanded 116 lira (~15 USD) daily wage, the employer offered 102 lira. As no agreement could be reached in the negotiations that began on August 15, a vast majority of workers halted work for 3 days upon the call of the association. While Kutlu was in detention yesterday, the labor contract that gives 106 lira daily wage to workers was signed."

His deposition taken after the contract was signed

Attorney Gençtarih has stressed that the detention of Kutlu disrupted the strike and noted that the procedures to take the deposition of the detained association chair started after the contract was signed by the parties.

Sebahat Gençtarih is still of the opinion that with their three-day protest, workers have found the opportunity to see what they can do:

"Bargaining for daily wages starts on every August 15. With this three-day strike action, the daily wage has increased from 90 lira to 106 lira. It is a gain. Workers have received something in return for halting work for three days. Their daily wages have been increased by 16 liras."

His 'organizational contact' was asked

Taken into custody together with Kutlu, association executives Fadıl Sevinç and Kazım Acar have been released after they deposed at the Anti-Terror Branch of the Mersin Provincial Security Directorate.

However, association chair Abdülselam Kutlu will be referred to the courthouse today (September 17).

During his interrogation at the Anti-Terror Branch yesterday, Kutlu was asked "with which money he established the association and what he was doing with the money that he received from workers." He answered that they, as an association, collect subscription fees and donations. His attorney also indicated that her client was indebted 20 thousand lira.

Kutlu was also asked about his "organizational contact" with the association executives, together with whom he was detained. He answered that they were members of the association and he also knew them from the same neighborhood. It was also alleged that Kutlu threatened workers to not go to work. In response to this, Kutlu said he had told the workers, "We are making efforts for you, don't go to work, but it is up to your conscience."

'I am only a member of the HDP'

Abdülselam Kutlu was also asked about the photos found in his phone. He indicated that the photos were of his cousin and siblings and he was keeping them as a memory. Kutlu said that his two siblings lost their lives in an armed conflict after they had joined the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), but he was not a member himself. Abdülselam Kutlu said that he was only a member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

There is still a confidentiality order on the file. Attorney Gençtarih has indicated that Kutlu will be referred to the prosecutor's office today. (AS/SD)