Canned fish company workers still 'locked in' at factory due to Covid-19 outbreak

Photo: Çanakkale Kalem newspaper

Click to read the article in Turkish

Workers of a canned fish company in Turkey's northwestern province of Çanakkale have been working in quarantine since July 26, after more than 40 employees tested positive for coronavirus.

In accordance with an order by the Provincial Public Hygiene Council, workers of Dardanel company's Önentaş Factory work during the day and are kept in quarantine dormitories at night.

CLICK - Canned fish company 'takes workers hostage' after Covid-19 outbreak

Seyit Aslan, the chair of the Gıda-İş union, which is affiliated with the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), spoke to bianet about the latest situation at the factory.

"Workers still continue to work by the closed-circuit system. We wrote to the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health four days ago. We stated that this situation is not legal and the application should be stopped immediately, but we did not receive a response," he said.

On Dardanel Board Chair Niyazi Önen's statement to Habertürk TV, Aslan said, "Önen said that the authorities recommended the 'closed circuit working system' to them. 'We were in favor of the closure, but the politicians told us to work,' he says. Then he should disclose who these politicians are."

"Everyone throws the ball to another one's court. The governor and the municipality say that they said it should be closed, but the factory is still working," Aslan said, pointing out that the factory's production has increased by 60 percent during the pandemic.

"This is a terrifying increase. The production has increased but the number of workers doesn't increase," he added.

"It's been one week since we wrote to the governor's office but there is no response. I spoke with the deputy mayor. They say, 'If there is an objection, we will review the decision.' They expect an objection from the workers.

"But one of the workers submitted an objection and the employer requested her resignation. She has lost her job, workers are worried.

"They also ignore our objection. They are just stalling the public."

Parliamentary question

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Züleyha Gülüm brought the issue into the parliamentary agenda.

Submitting a parliamentary question to Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, she said, "In the email sent to the employees by Dardanel company, it was stated that the decision to keep the employees under surveillance within the scope of coronavirus measures was taken in line with the decision of the Provincial Public Hygiene Council of the Governorate of Çanakkale and the implementation of it was mandatory."

"It was stated that the personnel who don't comply with this system, which imposes slavery conditions on workers, will be imposed an administrative fine of 3.150 Turkish lira.

"This decision has strengthened the public perception that the employers are protected with the government's policies at the expense of workers' lives."

She asked the following questions:

The fact that 40 workers in the workplace owned by Dardanel Food Inc. contracted coronavirus is an indication that the employer did not fulfill its obligations arising from the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331. Why have no sanctions been imposed on Dardanel Food Inc. despite that?

Where does the Çanakkale Governorate Public Hygiene Committee get the authority to give a decision against the Law on Public Hygiene?

The company's boss stated that the forced employment model under the name of the "closed-circuit working system" was recommended by the authorities. Has the Dardanel company been supported by public institutions?

"Closed-circuit work" is the abuse of the helplessness of workers who are left in the job and health dilemma. Do you consider implementing the necessary supervision and sanctions because workers' health and rights have not been protected?

While workers who tested positive for coronavirus should go on paid leave, doesn't forcing all workers to work violate the right to life? (RT/VK)