Second Detention for TOGO Workers
Second detention warrants are issued for 35 TOGO Shoes workers who are already dismissed as they are union members. They are taken into custody on May 11th at Balgat 10 Nisan Police Station by reason of blocking the traffic and released after their statements.The same workers were also again taken into custody on May 10th, at the 11th day of their protests and then released.
Sabri Aydın, one of those workers taken into custody on May 10th told about the detention day to bianet: 'We came in front of the factory around 09:30 am and then we're taken into custody. They asked questions like "Why are you waiting here? Why do you strike?' We were taken to the hospital for health check after our statements and then released"
"Chief Constable told us 'The governor is annoyed to see you here.' When I asked "Why?" he replied, "They are close friends with the owner of TOGO Shoes, Ahmet Kuşgöz. Mr. Kuşgöz gives shoes to him as present. The governor is paying his 'debt' in a way" said another worker Beyler Aktaş,
"They offered us 2% salary increase"
"Due to low salaries and poor working conditions we were members of Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Türk-İş). We were going to work at 08:30am and getting off at 19:45. We were paid 800TL. No bonus, no carfare. We asked for a salary increase from the boss. He offered us 2% increase, like a bad joke!" told Beyler Aktaş who has been working for TOGO Shoes Company for 16 years and now dismissed.
"They were locking the doors of toilets"
"We just have 15 minutes break two times a day and it's forbidden to go to toilet except these breaks. You can't go even though you need it because the doors of toilets are all locked. One of our friends had to wet his clothes. Some of our friends became prostate patients due to this" told Aktaş.
"We feel more powerful when people support us"
"I have been working at TOGO Shoes Company for 16 years. I also do some extra works like answering the phones, making tea. We asked for salary increase from our boss and he offered us 2% increase and added "You may quit now if you don't like it' " told the only woman worker of TOGO, Semiha Yılmaz and added:
"We feel more powerful as the political parties, non-governmental organizations, students come here to support us."
KESK 11 May protest
Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) Ankara Branches Platform protested TOGO Shoes Company in front of the TOGO Shoes Store on May 11th at 18:30. Middle East Technical University (ODTU) students and Labor Party (EMEP) also supported the protest.
"We've always supported and we will support the workers who still work under 18th century conditions. The employers know that the workers will get what they deserve sooner or later when they are union members, so they prefer to fire them" told KESK spokesperson Doğan Kaya
Cengiz Aydoğan spoke on behalf of the workers:
"We will continue our struggle in front of the factory until we get what we deserve. Thanks for everyone supporting our struggle" (SK/HK)