Construction workers' strike in Tanzania ends with gains

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The strike of around 2,000 workers at a Tanzanian railway construction site operated by a Turkey-based construction company concluded yesterday with success. The workers compelled the employers to pay five of the seven months of unpaid wages after 13 days of protests.

Özgür Karabulut, the President of DİSK/Dev Yapı-İş construction workers' union, told bianet, "We had a 13-day strike in Tanzania, and it ended with an agreement. We achieved victory through steadfast resistance.

"With the support of international unions and the Tanzanian Construction Workers Union, an agreement was reached at a table attended by officials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Transportation and Tanzanian Railway Company and representatives from Yapı Merkezi [company].

"Three months' worth of salaries will be paid by the end of the month, and two months' worth will be paid in September. A commitment for regular payment has been made for the remaining amounts."

Returning to work

Ömer Tanrıverdi, one of the Yapı Merkezi workers contacted by bianet, said that they will return to work on August 21, following the deposit of their May-June salaries.

Tanrıverdi expressed gratitude to everyone who raised their voice and supported them, saying, "We thank everyone who heard us. Hopefully, things will improve from now on, and other colleagues won't suffer. An official from the Tanzanian Railway Company also mentioned that they will closely monitor the process."

DİSK/Dev Yapı-İş shared the news of the successful strike on social media: "An agreement has been reached under the guarantee of Tanzanian Railways. Negotiations and resistance continue for the unpaid wages of the returning workers in Turkey! Construction workers are not slaves."

Protest continues in İstanbul

Despite reaching an agreement with the company and leaving their jobs due to unpaid wages, some workers have been staging a protest in front of Yapı Merkezi's headquarters in Üsküdar, İstanbul, since August 15.

Recep Topal, a former Yapı Merkezi worker participating in the protests, told bianet that the promises made to them were not fulfilled. "They offered us a salary of 2,000 dollars plus a commitment to pay the remaining amount three months later. But, as always, they are lying. We have no reason to believe them. Many of our friends are here. Some are facing legal action, some can't even bring bread home."

Murat Yüce, another former Yapı Merkezi worker, expressed concern about accumulating debts, saying, "We all have debts. Schools will be opening soon." He criticized the company officials for remaining indifferent in the face of their difficulties.

Mustafa Yılmaz, another former worker, said, "We are not asking for charity from the company. We want our rights." He urged the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to take action, saying, "Fulfill your responsibility. Apply the necessary pressure and sanctions so that Yapı Merkezi pays the workers their rights." (VC/VK)