COVID-19 in Turkey: At least 368 workers died in 8 months

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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According to the Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG Assembly), at least 368 workers have lost their lives due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since the first case was officially confirmed in Turkey on March 11.

While the report of the Labor Watch covers the eight-month period from March 11 to November 10, 2020 based on the news reported in the press, the accounts of the deceased workers' colleagues and the statements released by the medical organizations, the report indicates that the deaths caused by the virus are hidden and it has been difficult for the Labor Watch to access identities of the workers who died of COVID-19.

368 workers died, 25 women, 343 men

Underlining that no radical measures have been taken about public health or workers' health since the first case was diagnosed in Turkey, the Labor Watch report shares the following information with the public:

"The workers' deaths that we have detected are those of 'active' workers. However, we need to put yet another emphasis on the expression of 'at least' because the number of workers who died of COVID-19 is much higher (Similarly, we must not forget about the previous generation of the working class, namely the retired workers who were aged over 65, who lost their lives as a result of the coronavirus).

"When we look at the deaths on a monthly basis, 14 workers lost their lives in the last 20 days of March, 104 workers lost their lives in April, 29 workers in May, 13 workers in June, 16 workers in July, 57 workers in August, 51 workers in September, 51 workers in October and 33 workers lost their lives due to COVID-19 in the first 10 days of November.

"While 58 workers were working on their own behalf (we have no information on farmers), 310 were wage earners (workers and civil servants).

"The sectors with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths among workers were as follows: 141 workers were working in healthcare (excluding four doctors working in other sectors), 90 workers were working in trade/office/education/cinema, 25 workers were working in municipal affairs, 20 workers were working in the textile/leather industry, 17 workers were in security, 15 workers in metal, 14 workers in transportation (driver and pilot) and 10 workers were working in accommodation.

"25 of the deceased workers were women, 343 were men.

"The average age was 51. Considering that a vast majority of the deceased had chronic diseases, this situation must also be taken into consideration in terms of 'retirement debates-struggle.'

"34 of the deceased workers (9 percent) were the members of a union. Considering the membership of workers in occupational chambers in healthcare and partly in trade, the rate of organization is high.

"The provinces with the highest number of deaths were as follows: 108 workers lost their lives in İstanbul while 25 workers lost their lives in Ankara, 21 workers lost their lives in Diyarbakır, 17 workers in Kayseri, 16 workers in İzmir, 15 workers in Kocaeli, 13 workers in Gaziantep, 10 workers in Bursa and 10 workers lost their lives in Konya."

'Danger must be prevented at its source'

The Labor Watch report notes that "when it is considered specifically in terms of the coronavirus outbreak, the 'danger' faced by the working class is clear." Underlining that the use of public transport, collective working environment, insufficient ventilation, lack of personal protection lead to close contact, the report indicates that there are several things to be done such as the isolation of the positive cases and the scan of contacts.

"If these are not done or done insufficiently, then, workers' inspection elements that can prevent the danger at its source must be introduced," the Labor Watch has emphasized further, urging workers to "develop a reflex and will to intervene at the very time and place and to halt production if necessary so that an element of danger will not turn into an accident/disease." (AÖ/SD)