6 Arrested Airport Workers Released

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Six of the workers, who were previously arrested for having staged a protest against the bad working conditions and occupational homicides at the construction site of the 3rd Airport in İstanbul, have been released.

The names of the released workers have been announced as follows: Selami Sarıboğa, Birkan Topçu, Bilal Topçu, Hasan Çetin, Mehmet Celal Demir and Musa Karakuş.

What happened?

On September 12, 2018, in the construction of the 3rd Airport in İstanbul, where almost 36 thousand workers have been working, a shuttle vehicle had an accident, which injured 17 workers.

In the wake of this accident, workers stopped working in the construction due to bad working conditions and occupational homicides.

On September 14, 401 workers were taken into custody. 275 of these workers were released on September 16. 83 workers were also gradually released. 28 of the remaining 43 workers were referred to court with a request for their arrest.

33 workers and the Chair of the Progressive Construction Workers Union (Dev Yapı-İş) Özgür Karabulut were arrested.

The demands of the workers are:

-The workers who joined the protest won't be fired.

-Those who were fired without being informed will be reinstated.

-Shuttle problem will be solved.

-Full wage will be put into bank account, it will not be paid in person.

-Workers and foremen will eat at the same dining hall.

-The İGA officials responsible for the problems will be discharged.

-Demands will be read out in front of the press.

-Occupational homicides will be resolved.

-Bonus will be paid in bairams.

-Workers will be given working clothes.

-Salary of workers who haven't been paid for 6 months will be paid.

(EMK/SD)