Police attack Sinbo workers: Journalists detained as well

* Photo: İSİG

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A group of workers of Sinbo, a company producing small home appliances in İstanbul, were first put on unpaid leave due to their union activities; then, they were dismissed with "Code 29", a legal way used by employers to dismiss workers despite the layoff ban amid the pandemic.

The dismissed workers of the company wanted to hold a press statement in front of the factory in Haramidere, İstanbul today (April 19) in protest against the decision of the İstanbul Governor's Office, which banned all meetings and demonstrations in the city on the grounds of the outbreak. The ban will be in effect until May 17, which means that it will also cover May 1.

While workers were attempting to make a statement in front of the factory, the police did not allow them due to the pandemic. One Sinbo worker, two union representatives and three journalists have been detained.

Taken into custody by the police, Sinbo protester Dilbent Türker, who has been dismissed from Sinbo company with Code 29, All Automotive and Metal Workers' Union (TOMİS) İstanbul Representative Onur Eyidoğan, Özgür Gelecek (Free Future) reporter Taylan Öztaş, Mücadele Birliği (Struggle Union) reporter Serpil Ünal and Kızıl Bayrak (Red Flag) reporter Kardelen Yoğungan have been reportedly taken to the police station.

What happened?

Put on unpaid leave by Sinbo, a company producing small home appliances in İstanbul, on September 11, 2020, six workers were back to work as of December 21, 2020 following their protests.

The workers previously set up tents in front of the factory in Haramidere. Indicating that they had been put on unpaid leave due to their organizational activities at the All Automotive and Metal Workers' Union (TOMİS), the workers ended their resistance as they were reinstated.

In the wake of this decision following an unpaid leave for three months, the workers started working again on December 21.

However, Dilbent Türker was then dismissed with Code 29.

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(HA/SD)