Kazova Workers to Run Fashion Show For Resistance

Kazova workers are preparing to promote their locally produced with a fashion show in front of their factory in Istanbul’s Bomonti neighborhood at 6 pm local time. 

The fashion show is expected to be supported by several notable intellectuals and artists including Orhan Alkaya, Pelin Batu, Cengiz Bozkurt, Deniz Türkali, Nilüfer Açıkalın, Güler İnce, İlkay Akkaya, Pınar Aydınlar, Hakan Yeşilyurt, Ece Temelkuran, Ruhi Su Dostlar Korosu, Metin Yeğin, Grup Yorum and FOSEM. 

7 months of resistance

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. 10 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”. 

On September 14, they started fabricating sweaters out from what was left in the facility. 

First products will be sent to female and child inmates who sent support letters, Kazova workers said. 

They are also planning to sell their products at a counter in front of the factory as well as in various Gezi Forums in Istanbul.

Even though Kazova workers have taken legal action, no progress has yet to be made. (AS/BM)

* Kazova Factory is located in Merkez Mahallesi İyiniyet Sok. No: 17 Merkez Mh. Şişli. 

* Click here for sweater purchase options. 

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.